Patents and Cartographic Inventions: A New Perspective for Map History (Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology)

This book explores the US patent system, which helped practical minded innovators establish intellectual property rights and fulfill the need for achievement that motivates inventors and scholars alike. In this sense, the patent system was a parallel literature: a vetting institution similar to the conventional academic-scientific-technical journal insofar as the patent examiner was both editor and peer reviewer, while the patent attorney was a co-author or ghost writer. In probing evolving notions of novelty, non-obviousness, and cumulative innovation, Mark Monmonier examines rural address guides, folding schemes, world map projections, diverse improvements of the terrestrial globe, mechanical route-following machines that anticipated the GPS navigator, and the early electrical you-are-here mall map, which opened the way for digital cartography and provided fodder for patent trolls, who treat the patent largely as a license to litigate. . Explores The Us Patent System, Which Helped Practical Minded Innovators Establish Intellectual Property Rights And Fulfill The Need For Achievement That Motivates Inventors And Scholars Alike. In This Sense, The Patent System Was A Parallel Literature: A Vetting Institution Similar To The Conventional Academic-scientific-technical Journal Insofar As The Patent Examiner Was Both Editor And Peer Reviewer, While The Patent Attorney Was A Co-author Or Ghost Writer. In Probing Evolving Notions Of Novelty, Non-obviousness, And Cumulative Innovation, The Author Examines Rural Address Guides, Folding Schemes, World Map Projections, Diverse Improvements Of The Terrestrial Globe, Mechanical Route-following Machines That Anticipated The Gps Navigator, And The Early Electrical You-are-here Mall Map, Which Opened The Way For Digital Cartography And Provided Fodder For Patent Trolls, Who Treat The Patent Largely As A License To Litigate. Maps And Patents -- Pinpointing Places -- Showing The Way -- Folding, Unfolding -- World Views -- Global Affairs -- Current Events -- Appendix: How To Find A Patent -- Index. Mark Monmonier. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xv Maps and Patents....Pages 1-23 Pinpointing Places....Pages 25-62 Showing the Way....Pages 63-103 Folding, Unfolding....Pages 105-135 World Views....Pages 137-177 Global Affairs....Pages 179-217 Current Events....Pages 219-253 Back Matter....Pages 255-267 1. Maps and Patents2. Pinpointing Location3. Showing the Way4. Folding, Unfolding5. World Views6. Global Affairs7. Current How to Find a Patent