The patent system, which began in ancient Greece, granted innovators temporary monopolies, with the first modern system established in 1474 in Venice.
By the 16th century, Italian city-states established patent systems in England, France, and Spain to promote manufacturing and commerce innovation.
The US passed the first patent law, "An Act to Promote the Progress of Useful Arts," in 1790, which awarded a 14-year monopoly on their inventions.
Samuel Hopkins received the first patent under the legislation, for a process of generating potash.
Today, it remains a crucial tool for safeguarding intellectual property and fostering innovation by granting patents for various inventions.
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