# Individual — Patents explained on PatentBrief

Individual has 110 landmark patents explained in plain English on PatentBrief.

- [How Computers Group Files Based on Meaning and Context](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20150206070/generative-adversarial-networks-gans)
  A system that organizes digital files and data into related groups by analyzing their meaning, context, and how they relate to one another.
- [Making Drug Proteins Last Longer and Target Diseases Better](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20190160160/methods-to-treat-diseases-with-protein-peptide-and-antigen-modification)
  This patent describes ways to make protein and peptide drugs stay in the body longer and target specific diseases like autoimmune conditions or cancer more precisely by linking them together or combining them with other molecules.
- [How an Auxiliary Controller Manages Supplemental Fuel Injection](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12442345/raptor-mass-production) — granted 2025
  A method for an add-on computer to calculate and control extra fuel injection by piggybacking on data from a car's original engine computer.
- [A Modular Dental Tool for Holding Back Lips, Cheeks, and Tongue](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12409012/raptor-chamber-pressure) — granted 2025
  A specialized dental device that keeps a patient's mouth open and clear by holding back the lips, cheeks, and tongue using a snap-fit, adjustable system.
- [How to Improve 3D Printing Using Cold Spray Metal Deposition](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12233456/mars-colonial-transporter-architecture) — granted 2025
  A method for perfecting metal 3D printing by analyzing how spray angles affect material quality and adjusting the printer's path to fix errors.
- [How to Build Stronger Modular Floating Docks Using Internal Channels](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12123456/starbase-manufacturing-facility) — granted 2024
  A design for floating dock modules that feature built-in side grooves, allowing you to slide stiffening bars through them to keep the entire platform rigid and stable.
- [How One Phone Can Remotely Control Another When Nearby](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12101428/vision-pro-foveated-rendering) — granted 2024
  A system where one smartphone automatically connects to and controls another nearby phone, acting as a remote screen and input device when the second phone is not being used.
- [How to Make Carbonated Shampoo Using Chemical Reactions](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12060178/starship-crew-configuration) — granted 2024
  A method for creating a carbonated shampoo by generating carbon dioxide gas inside a sealed container using specific chemical precursors to create foam and pressure.
- [How to Build a Shock-Absorbing Shipping Box](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11993444/starship-mars-base-alpha) — granted 2024
  A design for a shipping box that uses special tabs and accordion-style folds to keep an inner product compartment suspended away from the outer box walls, protecting fragile items from impacts.
- [How a Pitcher Uses Removable Rulers to Measure Beverage Ingredients](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE49412/strain-and-recovery-tracking) — granted 2023
  A pitcher with a built-in vertical slot that holds a removable ruler, which acts as both a recipe guide and a measuring tool for adding ingredients directly into the container.
- [How Autonomous Air Taxis Use Hand Gestures and 3D Mapping](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11513606/universal-control) — granted 2022
  A system for operating air taxis that uses hand gestures for control and crowd-sourced 3D mapping to navigate urban environments.
- [How AI Learns to Control Game Characters Based on Their Surroundings](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10607134/artificially-intelligent-systems-devices-and-methods-for-learning-andor-using-an-avatars-circumstances-for-autonomous-avatar-operation) — granted 2020
  A system that allows digital characters to automatically perform actions by matching their current environment to previously learned experiences stored in a database.
- [How Automated Systems Generate and Track Consumer Dispute Letters](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10540437/system-and-interface-for-electronic-communication-generation-and-tracking) — granted 2020
  A software system that helps consumers write, format, and send formal complaint letters to businesses by turning simple questionnaire answers into professional, legally-compliant documents.
- [How a Camera-Based System Monitors Artificial Neural Network Creativity](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10423875/electro-optical-device-and-method-for-identifying-and-inducing-topological-states-formed-among-interconnecting-neural-modules) — granted 2019
  A system that uses a camera to watch a screen displaying neural network activity, identifying new patterns and using a critic to decide if those patterns are worth keeping.
- [A Tactile Mat to Keep VR Users From Walking Into Walls](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10350488/nintendo-switch) — granted 2019
  A physical floor mat with built-in bumps and sensors that helps people in virtual reality know where they are standing without needing to take off their headset.
- [Central Bank Digital Currency for Phones and Watches](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10147076/airbnb-experiences) — granted 2018
  This patent describes a system for using a central bank-issued digital currency on mobile devices, generating a special 3D code for payments that can be scanned or read via near field communication.
- [How a Handheld Punch Creates Custom Jewelry Display Cards](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE46627/aubagio-teriflunomide) — granted 2017
  A specialized handheld punch tool that cuts precise holes and slots into cardstock, allowing jewelry makers to create custom display cards for earrings, necklaces, and other accessories.
- [How Software Packages Create Independent Windows for Web Content](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9723108/facebook-portal-smart-display) — granted 2017
  A system for creating small, independent software windows that fetch and display specific web content outside of a standard web browser.
- [How Software Automatically Ranks and Manages Online Customer Feedback](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8983975/facebook-news-feed-ranking) — granted 2015
  A system that automatically finds, scores, and prioritizes online mentions of a company so they can respond to the most important conversations first.
- [Device for Receiving and Processing TV Signals from Cables and Wireless Sources](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8887212/netflix-content-delivery-network-open-connect) — granted 2014
  This patent describes a device that combines signals from a cable TV line and a wireless source, processes them to create copy-protected video and audio, and sends them to a TV or other device.
- [How Nextdoor Verifies Neighbors and Limits Online Social Circles](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8775328/facebook-graph-search) — granted 2014
  A patent describing a system for a private, location-based social network that verifies users' home addresses to restrict communications to people living in the same neighborhood.
- [How Devices Automatically Tag and Monetize Real-World Events](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8356005/facebook-photo-tagging) — granted 2013
  A system for capturing data about a specific moment or location—like a song playing or a vehicle passing—to automatically trigger online searches and sponsor payments.
- [How to Measure Stability in Complex Power Grids Using D-Q Impedance](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8044672/method-for-measuring-d-q-impedance-of-polyphase-power-grid-components) — granted 2011
  A method for testing how electrical components in a power grid react to disturbances to ensure the grid remains stable and doesn't crash.
- [How Mobile Phones Can Securely Authorize Payments Using Random ID Codes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7577616/method-and-apparatus-of-secure-authentication-and-electronic-payment-through-mobile-communication-tool) — granted 2009
  A 2006 system that uses a mobile phone to receive and relay a unique, temporary ID code to a store terminal to verify and authorize a payment transaction.
- [A Rotating Space Station for Catching and Launching Cargo](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7503526/supersonic-retropropulsion) — granted 2009
  A patent for a rotating space station that uses long, extendable cables to catch and release cargo payloads while orbiting a planet.
- [How to Build Complex Database Searches Using Venn Diagrams](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5966126/graphic-user-interface-for-database-system) — granted 1999
  A method for searching databases by visually connecting Venn diagrams to represent complex logical relationships between different sets of data.
- [Using Stress Proteins to Help the Body Accept Organ Transplants](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5891653/hiv-viral-load-test-bdna) — granted 1999
  A method for preventing organ transplant rejection by using stress proteins to teach the immune system to tolerate donor tissue.
- [How to Exercise Your Cat Using a Laser Pointer](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5443036/laser-pointer-cat-exercise) — granted 1995
  A 1995 patent describing the method of using a handheld laser pointer to create a moving light target that encourages cats to run and play.
- [How the Super Soaker's Pinch-Trigger and Built-In Tank Work](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5305919/super-soaker-water-gun) — granted 1994
  A 1994 patent by Lonnie Johnson for a high-pressure toy water gun featuring a built-in, non-detachable tank pressurized by a hand pump and controlled by a simple pinch-valve trigger.
- [How CPAP Machines Gradually Increase Air Pressure for Sleeping Patients](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5199424/cpap-sleep-apnea-sullivan) — granted 1993
  A 1993 patent describing a CPAP machine that lets patients choose how slowly the air pressure ramps up to their therapeutic level, making it easier to fall asleep.
- [How Digital Media Purchases and Downloads Work](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5191573/personal-audio-media-distribution) — granted 1993
  A 1990 patent describing the basic process of paying for digital audio or video content over a phone line and downloading it to a personal device.
- [Interchangeable Blades for Folding Pocket Tools](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4669140/leatherman-multitool) — granted 1987
  A 1987 patent for a folding pocket knife with split handles that can securely swap out different tools, like saw blades, using a locking pivot block and protective aluminum handles.
- [How Computers Use Hardware to Stop Software Piracy and Cracking](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4558176/computer-systems-to-inhibit-unauthorized-copying-unauthorized-usage-and-automated-cracking-of-protected-software) — granted 1985
  A 1982 hardware-based security system that prevents software from being copied or cracked by destroying sensitive data if the computer detects unauthorized access or execution.
- [How Modern Rollerblades Became Adjustable and Interchangeable](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4492385/inline-skates-rollerblade-olson) — granted 1985
  A 1982 patent describing a skate design that allows users to swap between wheels and blades and adjust their position on the boot for better performance.
- [How Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes Are Made](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4357215/lithium-ion-cathode-goodenough) — granted 1982
  A foundational 1982 method for creating the materials used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries by removing ions at low temperatures.
- [How Lithium-Cobalt Battery Cathodes Were Invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4302518/lithium-ion-battery-cathode) — granted 1981
  This 1981 patent details the chemistry behind the lithium-cobalt oxide cathodes that power almost every modern smartphone, laptop, and electric vehicle.
- [How to Detect Disease Markers Using Colored Proteins](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4302536/colorimetric-immunoassay-process) — granted 1981
  A 1981 method for measuring disease-related proteins in blood by attaching them to naturally colored proteins that can be detected with light.
- [How to Encapsulate Active Materials in Lipid Bubbles Efficiently](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4235871/hepatitis-b-vaccine-recombivax) — granted 1980
  This patent describes a method for trapping biologically active substances inside tiny, multi-layered fat bubbles called liposomes, using a specific water-in-oil emulsion and gel-forming process to improve how much material gets captured.
- [Using Specific Steroid Molecules to Block Salt Retention in the Body](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4081538/aldosterone-antagonists) — granted 1978
  A 1976 medical patent describing the use of 11-beta,18-oxidopregnane compounds to help the body excrete sodium by blocking the salt-retaining effects of the hormone aldosterone.
- [How Early Cochlear Implants Used Digital Signals to Restore Hearing](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4063048/cochlear-implant-hearing) — granted 1977
  A 1977 patent describing an electronic device that converts sound into digital pulses to stimulate the auditory nerve, bypassing a damaged inner ear.
- [How the String Trimmer (Weed Eater) Actually Cuts Grass](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3826068/weed-eater-string-trimmer) — granted 1974
  This 1974 patent describes the mechanics of using a high-speed spinning plastic line to cut grass, replacing dangerous metal blades with flexible, non-metallic material.
- [Weapon That Shoots Wires to Deliver Electric Shocks](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3803463/taser-stun-gun-cover) — granted 1974
  This 1974 patent describes a weapon that fires projectiles carrying wires to deliver incapacitating electric shocks to a target from a distance.
- [How Buried Channel CCDs Move Data Deep Inside Silicon Chips](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3792322/ccd-image-sensor) — granted 1974
  A foundational 1974 invention that improved how computer chips store and move electrical charges by keeping them away from messy surface defects.
- [Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to Detect Cancer in Tissue](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3789832/mri-magnetic-resonance-imaging) — granted 1974
  This 1974 patent describes a method and apparatus using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to measure how quickly certain atomic nuclei in a tissue sample return to their normal energy state, helping to distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue.
- [How Passive Satellite Navigation Works Without Sending Signals](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3789409/gps-satellite-navigation) — granted 1974
  A 1970s system for finding your location on Earth by listening to satellite signals without ever having to transmit a signal yourself.
- [How a Single Coil Powers Multiple Motor Armatures Simultaneously](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3723796/mri-cancer-tissue-detection) — granted 1973
  A 1973 design for an electric motor that uses a single central coil to power several separate armatures arranged in a circle.
- [How a Coffee Maker Uses a Floating Valve to Heat Water](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3693535/mr-coffee-drip-coffee-maker) — granted 1972
  A 1971 invention for a coffee maker that uses a floating valve to control water flow, ensuring water is heated efficiently without needing a massive, power-hungry heating element.
- [Sticky, Tiny Plastic Balls Made from Acrylates](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3691140/post-it-repositionable-adhesive) — granted 1972
  This 1972 patent describes how to make tiny, sticky, and durable plastic balls (microspheres) using a specific mix of acrylate chemicals and a special water-based process.
- [The Invention of the Modern Soda Can Pull-Tab](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3349949/pull-tab-pop-top-can) — granted 1967
  A 1965 design for a ring-shaped metal tab that makes it easy to pull open a tear strip on a beverage can.
- [How Soft Contact Lenses Were Invented Using Hydrogels](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3220960/soft-contact-lens-hydrogel) — granted 1965
  This patent describes the chemical recipe for soft, water-absorbing plastic materials that form the basis of modern soft contact lenses.
- [How Dr. Forrest Bird's Mechanical Respirator Controls Patient Breathing](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3191596/bird-respirator-ventilator) — granted 1965
  A 1965 patent describing a mechanical ventilator that automatically switches between inhaling and exhaling based on pressure levels in a patient's airway.
- [How the Hula Hoop Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3079728/hula-hoop-wham-o) — granted 1963
  A 1963 patent for a lightweight, rigid plastic hoop designed to rotate around a human waist through rhythmic body movements.
- [Early Device for Tracking Objects with a Pen](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3055113/etch-a-sketch) — granted 1962
  This 1962 patent describes an early system for tracing the path of an object using a pen-like stylus that records its movement on a surface.
- [How Joseph-Armand Bombardier Designed the Modern Snowmobile](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3023824/snowmobile-bombardier) — granted 1962
  A 1962 patent by Joseph-Armand Bombardier describing a lightweight, engine-driven vehicle using an endless track system for travel over snow.
- [How George Devol Invented the First Industrial Robot Arm](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2988237/unimate-industrial-robot-devol) — granted 1961
  The 1954 patent for the Unimate, the first digitally controlled robotic arm that could be programmed to move objects in a factory.
- [How the First Modern Water Slide Was Designed](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2982547/slip-n-slide-carrier) — granted 1961
  A 1960 patent for a water-based amusement structure featuring a sloped surface and a water supply system to create a sliding experience.
- [How the Breathalyzer Measures Alcohol in Your Breath](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2824789/breathalyzer-borkenstein) — granted 1958
  A 1954 invention by Robert Borkenstein that uses a chemical reaction to estimate the amount of alcohol in a person's blood by testing their breath.
- [How the Wiffle Ball Design Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2776139/wiffle-ball-mullany) — granted 1957
  A 1954 patent for a lightweight, perforated plastic ball designed to curve easily when thrown, famously known as the Wiffle ball.
- [How Leo Fender's Tremolo Bridge Changes Guitar Pitch](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2741146/fender-stratocaster-tremolo) — granted 1956
  A mechanical bridge system for electric guitars that allows players to temporarily change the tension and pitch of all strings simultaneously using a manual lever.
- [How a Simple Felt-Tip Marker Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2713176/magic-marker-permanent-marker-rosenthal) — granted 1955
  A 1953 design for a handheld marking tool that uses a porous tip to deliver ink from an internal reservoir.
- [How the First Nuclear Reactor Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2708656/nuclear-reactor-fermi-szilard) — granted 1955
  The foundational 1955 patent by Enrico Fermi and Leo Szilard describing the design of the first nuclear reactor capable of a self-sustaining chain reaction.
- [How Wang An Invented the Magnetic Pulse Memory Core](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2708722/magnetic-core-memory-wang) — granted 1955
  A 1949 invention by An Wang that used magnetic cores to store and transfer binary data, forming the backbone of early computer memory.
- [Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic Dome Building Design](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2682235/geodesic-dome-fuller) — granted 1954
  A structural design for a spherical building made of interlocking triangular frames that distribute weight efficiently to create large, stable, and lightweight spaces.
- [How a Spring-Loaded Pocket Dispenser Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2620061/pez-dispenser) — granted 1952
  A 1949 mechanical design for a pocket-sized container that uses a spring to push items like pills or candies to the top for easy access.
- [How the Rogallo Flexible Wing Kite Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2546078/rogallo-wing-hang-glider) — granted 1951
  A 1948 patent for a kite with a flexible, non-rigid wing that uses air pressure to maintain its shape during flight.
- [Ralph Teetor's Speed Control Device for Automobiles](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2519859/cruise-control-teetor) — granted 1950
  A 1948 invention by Ralph Teetor that introduced the mechanical foundation for modern cruise control by creating a system to resist accelerator pedal movement at a set speed.
- [How Earl Tupper Invented the Airtight Plastic Food Container](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2487400/tupperware-airtight-seal) — granted 1949
  A 1947 patent for a flexible plastic container with a unique, airtight lid that seals by pressing down on the center, creating the foundation for Tupperware.
- [How the Aqua-Lung Scuba Regulator Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2485039/aqualung-scuba-cousteau-gagnan) — granted 1949
  The foundational 1947 patent by Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan for the automatic demand regulator that allows divers to breathe compressed air underwater.
- [How Laszlo Biro Invented the Modern Ballpoint Pen](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2390636/ballpoint-pen-biro) — granted 1945
  This 1945 patent describes the original ballpoint pen mechanism that uses a rotating sphere to distribute thick, quick-drying ink onto paper.
- [How George Nissen Invented the Modern Trampoline](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2370990/trampoline-nissen) — granted 1945
  The 1945 patent for a 'tumbling device' that introduced the modern trampoline, using a flexible canvas bed stretched over a frame with springs to allow for high-bouncing acrobatics.
- [Chester Carlson's Original Xerography Patent](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2297691/xerography-electrophotography-photocopier) — granted 1942
  Chester Carlson's 1942 patent for xerography, the dry copying process that became the foundation for Xerox machines.
- [Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil's Frequency Hopping Secret Communication System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2292387/hedy-lamarr-frequency-hopping) — granted 1942
  A 1942 patent for a radio-controlled torpedo guidance system that used synchronized player piano rolls to hop between frequencies, preventing enemies from jamming the signal.
- [How Sylvan Goldman Invented the Modern Grocery Shopping Cart](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2196914/shopping-cart-goldman) — granted 1940
  A 1940 patent for a folding metal frame designed to hold two wire baskets, enabling shoppers to carry more items than their arms could hold.
- [How the View-Master 3D Image Viewer Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2189285/view-master-stereoscope) — granted 1940
  A 1939 invention for a handheld device that uses two offset images to create the illusion of depth, famously known as the View-Master.
- [How the 1940 Nachumsohn Cooking Apparatus Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2187888/crock-pot-slow-cooker-naxon) — granted 1940
  A 1940 patent for a cooking device designed to heat food efficiently using an enclosed chamber and specific heat distribution methods.
- [How to Make Dried Citrus Fruit Snacks](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2186907/sulfa-drugs-sulfapyridine) — granted 1940
  A 1937 method for preserving citrus fruit by removing moisture while maintaining the fruit's structure and flavor profile for long-term storage.
- [Frank Whittle's Early Jet Engine Design](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2168726/jet-engine-whittle) — granted 1939
  Frank Whittle's 1937 patent for an aircraft propulsion system using a gas turbine, which laid the foundation for modern jet engines.
- [How the First Modern Kitchen Garbage Disposal Was Invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2012680/garbage-disposal-hammes) — granted 1935
  John W. Hammes' 1933 invention of a motorized grinding device that mounts under a kitchen sink to pulverize food waste into small particles for disposal through plumbing.
- [How the modern internal menstrual tampon was invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1964911/tampon-applicator-haas) — granted 1934
  Earle Haas's 1933 patent describes the first modern internal menstrual tampon, designed to be inserted into the vagina using a cardboard applicator.
- [How Laurens Hammond Invented the Electric Organ](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1956350/hammond-organ) — granted 1934
  Laurens Hammond's 1934 patent for an electrical musical instrument that used spinning tone wheels to generate sound, forming the basis of the iconic Hammond organ.
- [How the Iron Lung Artificial Respirator Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1906844/iron-lung-respirator-drinker) — granted 1933
  A 1933 patent for a mechanical respirator that uses external air pressure changes to force a patient's lungs to expand and contract.
- [Leonarde Keeler's Early Mechanical Blood Pressure Recorder](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1788434/polygraph-lie-detector-keeler) — granted 1931
  A 1925 invention by Leonarde Keeler designed to mechanically record a patient's arterial blood pressure over time.
- [How the First Cotton Swabs Were Mass-Produced](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1721815/q-tip-cotton-swab) — granted 1929
  Leo Gerstenzang's 1929 patent for the automated manufacturing of cotton-tipped applicators, the invention that created the modern Q-Tip.
- [How Jacob Schick Invented the Modern Magazine-Loading Safety Razor](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1721530/schick-repeating-razor) — granted 1929
  A 1929 patent for a safety razor that uses a replaceable blade magazine, allowing users to change blades without touching the sharp edges.
- [How Early Electromagnetic Pumps Moved Liquid Metal Using Magnetic Fields](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1647147/sound-on-film-talking-pictures) — granted 1927
  A 1927 patent for a pump that uses electromagnetic forces to move conductive liquids without needing moving mechanical parts like pistons or impellers.
- [How the Popsicle Was Invented by Accident](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1505592/popsicle-epperson) — granted 1924
  A 1924 patent for a frozen treat made by freezing flavored liquid around a wooden stick, commonly known today as a Popsicle.
- [How Garrett Morgan Invented the Three-Position Traffic Signal](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1475024/traffic-signal-morgan) — granted 1923
  Garrett Morgan's 1923 patent for a T-shaped traffic signal introduced a 'caution' position to manage vehicle flow more safely at busy intersections.
- [How the First Automatic Pop-Up Toaster Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1394450/pop-up-toaster-strite) — granted 1921
  Charles Strite's 1921 patent for the first toaster that automatically pops bread up after a set time, preventing it from burning.
- [The Invention of Lincoln Logs](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1351086/lincoln-logs-wright) — granted 1920
  A 1920 patent for a toy construction system using notched wooden logs to build miniature cabins and structures.
- [How Edwin Armstrong Invented the Superheterodyne Radio Receiver](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1342885/superheterodyne-radio-armstrong) — granted 1920
  A foundational 1920 patent by Edwin Armstrong that describes the superheterodyne circuit, the technology that allowed radios to tune into specific stations clearly and reliably.
- [How Clarence Saunders Invented the Modern Self-Service Grocery Store](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1242872/self-service-grocery-store-saunders) — granted 1917
  A 1917 patent for a store layout that allowed customers to walk through aisles and pick their own goods, replacing the traditional over-the-counter service model.
- [Early Car Wheel Traction Device](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1141798/zipper-slide-fastener) — granted 1915
  A 1915 patent for a metal device clamped to a car wheel to improve traction on slippery surfaces.
- [How Georges Claude Invented the Neon Light](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1125476/neon-lighting-claude) — granted 1915
  A 1915 patent describing the use of neon gas in sealed glass tubes to create bright, colorful light for signs and illumination.
- [How TinkerToy's Original Wooden Construction Blocks Work](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1113371/tinkertoy-pajeau) — granted 1914
  A 1914 patent for a modular toy system using wooden sticks and circular hubs with holes to build complex three-dimensional structures.
- [Robert Goddard's Early Design for Liquid-Fueled Rocket Engines](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1102653/liquid-fuel-rocket-goddard) — granted 1914
  A foundational 1914 patent by Robert Goddard detailing the basic mechanical structure of a rocket engine using liquid fuel.
- [Elwood Haynes' Early Stellite Cobalt-Chromium Alloy](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1057423/stellite-cobalt-alloy-haynes) — granted 1913
  A 1913 patent for a durable, corrosion-resistant metal alloy made primarily of cobalt and chromium, which laid the foundation for modern high-performance tools and medical implants.
- [How the Modern Disposable Paper Cup Was Invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1032557/dixie-cup-disposable-paper-cup) — granted 1912
  A 1908 patent for a sanitary, single-use paper cup designed to prevent the spread of germs from shared public drinking vessels.
- [How Leo Baekeland Invented Bakelite, the First Synthetic Plastic](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/942699/bakelite-synthetic-plastic) — granted 1909
  A 1909 patent for creating a durable, heat-resistant material by reacting phenol and formaldehyde, marking the birth of the modern plastics industry.
- [How James Spangler Invented the First Portable Electric Vacuum Cleaner](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/889823/vacuum-cleaner-spangler) — granted 1908
  A 1908 patent for a portable suction-based cleaning device that combined a rotating brush with a fan to lift dust into a bag.
- [How the Wright Brothers Invented Modern Airplane Control](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/821393/wright-brothers-flying-machine) — granted 1906
  The foundational patent for the first successful powered, heavier-than-air flying machine that could be controlled in flight.
- [John Holland's Design for an Early Submarine Boat](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/815350/holland-submarine) — granted 1906
  This 1906 patent by John P. Holland describes an early design for a submarine, a vessel capable of traveling underwater, laying the groundwork for modern naval technology.
- [How Mary Anderson Invented the Windshield Wiper](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/743801/windshield-wiper-anderson) — granted 1903
  A 1903 invention by Mary Anderson that allowed drivers to manually clear rain and snow from their windshields using a lever inside the vehicle.
- [Leamon Souder's 1903 Design for a Spiral Escalator](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/723325/escalator-moving-stairway) — granted 1903
  A 1903 patent for a mechanical staircase that moves in a circular, spiraling path to transport people between floors.
- [Nikola Tesla's Remote Control System for Boats](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/613809/tesla-remote-control-teleautomaton) — granted 1898
  Nikola Tesla's 1898 patent for controlling a boat's movement and steering from a distance using radio waves and electrical signals.
- [Nikola Tesla's Early System for Electric Lighting](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/454622/tesla-coil-electric-lighting) — granted 1891
  A 19th-century patent by Nikola Tesla describing an early method for distributing and regulating electric light using high-frequency alternating current.
- [How Charles Hall Invented Modern Aluminum Production](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/400664/hall-process-aluminum-smelting) — granted 1889
  This 1889 patent describes the Hall-Héroult process, which uses electricity to extract pure aluminum from its ore, making the metal affordable for everyone.
- [How Nikola Tesla Invented the Modern AC Electric Motor](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/382280/tesla-ac-motor) — granted 1888
  Nikola Tesla's 1888 patent for an induction motor that uses rotating magnetic fields to convert electricity into mechanical motion without needing physical brushes.
- [How Thomas Edison Invented the Practical Incandescent Light Bulb](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/223898/edison-incandescent-lamp) — granted 1880
  Thomas Edison's 1880 patent for a carbon-filament electric lamp that made indoor lighting reliable and commercially viable for the first time.
- [Alexander Graham Bell's Patent for the Telephone](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/174465/bell-telephone) — granted 1876
  Alexander Graham Bell's 1876 patent describing the method and apparatus for transmitting vocal sounds telegraphically, effectively inventing the telephone.
- [How Joseph Glidden Invented Modern Barbed Wire](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/157124/barbed-wire-glidden) — granted 1874
  A 1874 patent for a specific wire-fence design that used twisted strands to hold sharp barbs in place, fundamentally changing how the American West was fenced.

**Full profile:** https://patentbrief.org/company/individual

---

_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Plain-English explanations of US patents._