Happy National Inventors’ Day!February 11, 2007

Today is National Inventors' Day, a day to celebrate the contributions that inventors have brought into our lives. National Inventors' Day is today (February 11) because it is also the birthday of one of the most prolific inventors of all time, Thomas Alva Edison, who was awarded 1,097 patents over the course of his lifetime, including most famously the incandescent light bulb (Patent No. 223,898).

National Inventors' Day was first recognized in 1982, with the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 140 (Public Law 97-198). President Reagan also recognized the occasion in a proclamation on January 12, 1983:

Almost two hundred years ago, President George Washington recognized that invention and innovation were fundamental to the welfare and strength of the United States. He successfully urged the First Congress to enact a patent statute as expressly authorized by the U.S. Constitution and wisely advised that "there is nothing which can better deserve your patronage than the promotion of science . . ." In 1790, the first patent statute initiated the transformation of the United States from an importer of technology to a world leader in technological innovation. Today, just as in George Washington's day, inventors are the keystone of the technological progress that is so vital to the economic, environmental, and social well-being of this country. Individual ingenuity and perseverance, spurred by the incentives of the patent system, begin the process that results in improved standards of living, increased public and private productivity, creation of new industries, improved public services, and enhanced competitiveness of American products in world markets. In recognition of the enormous contribution inventors make to the nation and the world, the Congress, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 140 (Public Law 97 – 198), has designated February 11, 1983, the anniversary of the birth of Thomas Alva Edison, one of America's most famous and prolific inventors, as National Inventors' Day. Such recognition is especially appropriate at a time when our country is striving to maintain its global position as a leader in innovation and technology. Key to our future success will be the dedication and creativity of inventors. Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim February 11, 1983, as National Inventors' Day and call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of Jan., in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventh. Ronald Reagan

To all who are inventors or innovators, we wish you the best on National Inventors' Day, and hope that you, through your innovations, continue to shape our collective future.

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