On July 31, 1790, President George Washington signed the very first United States patent, granting inventor Samuel Hopkins protection for an improved process of making potash. That single document, issued just one year after the Constitution took effect, launched what would become one of the most consequential institutions in American history. Nearly 13 million patents later, the United States patent system remains one of the most powerful engines of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth the world has ever seen.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, the United States Patent and Trademark Office is marking another milestone: the 236th anniversary of that first patent. And they are doing it in a way that connects the past, the present, and the future of American invention.

On August 4, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the USPTO will host a free virtual event titled From the First U.S. Patent to the Next 250 Years of American Innovation. This one hour program brings together USPTO leadership, historians, and innovators for a conversation that spans the full arc of American invention.

The event is organized around three compelling themes. The first explores the birth of American innovation, including the story of Samuel Hopkins and the founders who created the patent system. The second examines how the modern patent system works today, covering examination, prioritized review, and resources available to inventors and small businesses. The third looks ahead, featuring a moderated conversation with entrepreneurs and innovators about the next 250 years of American invention.

Speakers include USPTO Director John A. Squires, USPTO Lead Historian Rebekah Oakes, and a panel of innovators and entrepreneurs including Jay Kriner, Founder and CEO of GALE Project Technologies, and Julian Kage, Founder and CEO of Exactics.

Whether you are an inventor, an entrepreneur, a small business owner, a student, or simply someone who cares about American innovation and intellectual property, this event offers something valuable. It is free, virtual, and designed to educate and inspire.

We encourage our clients, colleagues, and friends to register and attend. The link to register is below.

https://forms.uspto.gov/events/EventsRegistrationForm?eventId=a04SJ00000T1QuH

If you have questions about how the patent system can support your business or innovation goals, our patent team is available to help.