Inventors are constantly working, and holidays are no exception.  In fact holidays seem to be a source of inspiration for many inventors, and Independence Day is no exception:

What says Independence Day better than the patriotic grill cover in U.S. Patent No. D49032?Perhaps the centennial medal of U.S. Patent No. D9103?Perhaps the centennial watch charm from U.S. Patent No. D7164:

Thomas Jefferson is the president most closely associated with the patents, although Abraham Lincoln is the only president to actually receive a patent. President’s day was established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, and it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. In 1971 it was moved from February 22, Washington’s actual birthday, to the third Monday in February as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which is when the popular name, “Presidents’ Day,” attached.  Although technically Washington’s Birthday, the day is also closely associated with Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is also in February — February 12 — and is still celebrated in a number of U.S. states.

This post honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, both of whom have been frequently commemorated in the patents issued by the USPTO.

George Washington

U.S. Patent No. 537666

U.S. Patent No. D9161

U.S. Patent No. 21357

Although with some commemorations, it is hard to determine whether it is a positive or a negative tribute:

U.S. Patent No. D25387

Abraham Lincoln

U.S. Patent No. D2983 features President Lincoln

Of course, some commemorations are tackier than others:

U.S. Patent No. D12634

U.S. Patent No. D9403

U.S. Patent No. 1634713

On July 18, 1933, U.S. Patent No. 1,918,848 issued to Edwin H. Land on Polarizing Refracting Bodies.

On July 17, 2001, U.S. Patent No. 6,260,903 issued to Christian von der Heyde on a Portable Automobile Partition.  Just in time for summer road trips.

On July 16, 1895, U.S. Patent No. 542,846 issued to Rudolf Diesel on his Method of and Apparatus for Converting Heat into Work (the Diesel Engine.

On June 4, 1991, U.S. Patent No. D317254 issued to Anita Dembiczak on a bag.

On June 3, 1901, U,S, Patent No. 701,776 issued to Antonio Valvona on an Apparatus for Baking Biscuit Cups (ice cream cones).

On June 2, 1895, U.S. Patent No. 541923 issued to Thomas A. Edison on the phonograph.

On June 1, 1869, U.S. Patent No. 90,646 issued to Thomas A. Edison on an Electric Vote Recorder.