February 20, 2017
Presidents Day Patents
Thomas Jefferson is the president most closely associated with the patents, although Abraham Lincoln is the only president to actually receive a patent. President’s day was established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, and it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. In 1971 it was moved from February 22, Washington’s actual birthday, to the third Monday in February as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which is when the popular name, “Presidents’ Day,” attached. Although technically Washington’s Birthday, the day is also closely associated with Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is also in February — February 12 — and is still celebrated in a number of U.S. states.
This post honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, both of whom have been frequently commemorated in the patents issued by the USPTO.
George Washington
![Presidents Day Patents | IP Law Firm | Harness IP 537666 | Intellectual Property Law Firm | Harness IP](https://patents.harnessip.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/537666.jpg)
U.S. Patent No. 537666
![Presidents Day Patents | IP Law Firm | Harness IP D9161 | Intellectual Property Law Firm | Harness IP](https://patents.harnessip.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/D9161.jpg)
U.S. Patent No. D9161
![Presidents Day Patents | IP Law Firm | Harness IP D21357 | Intellectual Property Law Firm | Harness IP](https://patents.harnessip.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/D21357.jpg)
U.S. Patent No. 21357
Although with some commemorations, it is hard to determine whether it is a positive or a negative tribute:
![Presidents Day Patents | IP Law Firm | Harness IP D25387 | Intellectual Property Law Firm | Harness IP](https://patents.harnessip.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/D25387.jpg)
U.S. Patent No. D25387
Abraham Lincoln
![Presidents Day Patents | IP Law Firm | Harness IP D2983 | Intellectual Property Law Firm | Harness IP](https://patents.harnessip.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/D2983.jpg)
U.S. Patent No. D2983 features President Lincoln
Of course, some commemorations are tackier than others:
![Presidents Day Patents | IP Law Firm | Harness IP D9403 | Intellectual Property Law Firm | Harness IP](https://patents.harnessip.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/D9403.jpg)
U.S. Patent No. D9403