The Story Of My First Invention Classic Reprint

Excerpt from The Story of My First Invention Sometimes when I let my mind wander back to the time I made my first invention, twenty-odd years ago, the circumstances surrounding it seem like the memory of a vivid dream. How well I remember my varying moods of hope and despair, the pleasure of expectation, and the bitterness of failure; my original idea of the soundness of my beliefs, and at last the conviction of my erring judgment; the strong impression I held at first that the Legal Aspect (the Patent) was the all-important factor, but which slowly died, to be replaced eventually by an unalterable belief, which years of practical experience have confirmed, that I was wrong. My subsequent business life - inventing, manufacturing, and selling - combined with my professional duties, proved to my satisfaction that the Commercial Aspect, rather than the Patent, is of primary and greatest importance. I can smile now and charge it off to experience, the kind of experience worth while, because dearly bought, and in my case profited by, but, oh! how serious it was then. No one, unless he has been through a similar experience, can realize the mental anguish I experienced when I came to a full appreciation of the fact that, instead of being well started on the road to fortune, I had been wending my way along a blind alley which terminated in a brick wall. I had spent every dollar of my money, and all I could borrow of my friends, and at the end had nothing to show for it but two sheets of parchment paper tied with a blue ribbon, with a red seal affixed; in other words, what Uncle Sam designates as "Letters Patent," the most deceiving document (to the ordinary individual) of any "grant" issued by the United States Government, one which, while seemingly giving you the exclusive right to "make, use, and vend" your invention, qualifies that right by that tantalizing word - If - which, while not expressed in print may stand like a sentinel to restrain your progress. On page 2 is shown a reduced fac-simile - a reproduction of one of my patents - showing where the words "exclusive right to make, use and vend" appear. The underscoring is by the author, to enable you to more easily find the location. I also call your attention to the words "an alleged" and "improvement" around which I have ruled a line just above "Eye Glasses," the title of the invention. The restriction carried by this implied word If, combined with the inability of ordinary Patent Attorneys to appreciate the all important Commercial Factor of invention, and thus help to guide their client in the right direction, has proven to be two of the principal reasons for the undoing financially of verily tens of thousands, and mentally of many hundreds of honest men, trying to acquire a competence from the creations of their own intellects. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Excerpt from Stories of Invention: Told by Inventors and Their Friends The reader may or may not have seen these books, so much the worse for him if he have not, but that omis sion of his may be easily repaired. There are four of them stories OF war told by Soldiers stories OF the sea told by Sailors; stories OF adventure told by Ad venturers stories OF discovery told by Discoverers. Since the regular meetings began, of which these books are the history, the circle of visitors has changed more or less, as most circles will, in five years. Some of those who met are now in another world. Some of the boys have grown to be so much like men, that they are subw duing the world, as Uncle Fritz would say, in their several places, and that they write home, from other latitudes and longitudes, of the Discoveries and Adventures in which they have themselves been leaders. But younger sisters and brothers take the places of older brothers and sisters. The club -for it really is one is popular, Lady Oliver's house is large, and Uncle Fritz is hospitable. He says himself that there is always room for more; and Ellen Flaherty, or whoever else is the reigning queen in the kitchen, never complains that the demand is too great for her waffles. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Stories of Inventors: The Adventures of Inventors and Engineers; True Incidents and Personal Experiences Every great invention, afterward marvelled at, was first derided. Each great inventor, after solving problems in mechanics or chemistry, had to face the jeers of the incredulous. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Men of Achievement: Inventors This book, dealing with our great inventors, their origins, hopes, aims, principles, disappoint ments, trials, and triumphs, their daily life and personal character, presents just enough con cerning their inventions to make the story intelligible. The history is often a painful one. When poor Goodyear, the inventor of vulcan ized rubber, was one day asked what he wanted to make of his boys, he is said to have replied: Make them anything but inventors; mankind has nothing but cuffs and kicks for those who try to do it a service. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Standiford examines how the unlikely success of "A Christmas Carol" revitalized Charles Dickens's languishing career and revived the celebration of the near-forgotten Christmas holiday.

The Work and the Man (Classic Reprint) by Agnes Rush Burr offers a thought-provoking examination of the relationship between labor and character. This thought-provoking book argues that the work a person does can shape their character, and conversely, the character can influence their work. Through insightful commentary and vivid illustrations, Burr creates a compelling discourse on the importance of work in personal development. The Work and the Man is a timeless book that will inspire and challenge you to reflect on your own work and its impact on your character. Delve into the intriguing relationship between work and character with The Work and the Man by Agnes Rush Burr. Discover the profound insights within this classic reprint today!