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.Throughout history, inventions have helped people discover new worlds, build communities, develop resources, increase productivity, cure diseases, ease burdens, and enjoy life to the fullest.

Our nation's founders recognized the importance of intellectual property, and included provisions for its protection and encouragement in the Constitution. Today, America's inventive spirit is one of our most treasured and envied assets. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office works to record, share, and preserve this inventive spirit.

Established in 1995, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Museum strives to educate the public about the patent and trademark systems, and the important role intellectual property protection plays in our nation's social and economic health.