Abstract: The history of industrial revolutions provides valuable insights into how patents and patenting systems influence innovation. It also reveals the extent to which inventors have relied on other ways to protect their ideas, including secrecy, sharing and showcasing them at international exhibitions.
Cite as: Stephen Billington, Alan Hanna, Joe Lane, What can we learn about patents and innovation from the past? Economics Observatory (2024).
https://www.economicsobservatory.com/what-can-we-learn-about-patents-and-innovation-from-the-past
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