November 11 is Veteran’s Day, and a chance to thank all veterans for their service. Because of their willingness to defend us, we enjoy the freedom to live largely as we choose to and to pursue our interests. U.S. Patent No. 1,429,506 issued September 19, 1922, is, literally, a salute to veterans:

The invention is a doormat-operated animated figure, which issues a salute to someone who steps on the mat. The patent describes the figure as “an American Veteran of the World War,” not contemplating on December 4, 1919, when the application was filed, and the ink on the November 11, 1918, armistace barely dried, that we would soon again call on our soldiers to defend us in a second world war, and a number of other conflicts since.

To all verterans, thank you for your service and for our freedom.

America’s ingenuity for celebrating is well documented in the U.S. patent collection, and technology for celebrating our Fathers is not an exception.

Take, for instance, the Expectant Father System patented by Ashley Svopa on June 1, 1999 as U.S. Patent No. 5,908,108:

Then there’s literally a Father Figure in U.S. Patent No. D803720, patented by Eytan and Irina Silboni on November 28, 2017:

Congress has passed, and President Biden has now signed, legislation making June 19th — Juneteenth — a national holiday. June 19th is the anniversary of the June 19, 1865, announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army general Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas. President Lincoln’s January 1, 1863, Emancipation Proclamation officially outlawed slavery in the rebelling states, but enforcement in remote Texas was spotty at best. Ironically, after June 19th 1865, slavery remained legal in two Union states – Delaware and Kentucky – for another six months until the December 6, 1865, ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery nationwide.

Only one U.S. patent to date references Juneteenth — Ivy Antrinette Marlonia’s U.S. Patent No. 8,136,962, on Remote Controlled Hideaway Holiday and Party Lighting. According to Ivy, her party lighting can be used to celebrate a number of occasions, including Juneteenth:

June 14th is Flag Day, the anniversary of the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day in 1916, and on August 3, 1949, Congress established June 14 as National Flag Day, although it was not made an official federal holiday. The U.S. patent collection provides a number of suggestions of ways to display your flag:

However you decide to display the flag today, have a great day.

Another holiday celebrated though the records of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Happy Easter to all who celebrate it (or just like candy).

It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and a good time to review how it is celebrated in the records of U.S. Patent Office.

There is all sorts of valuable information in the U.S. Patent collection, and from U.S. Patent No. 6,325,691, we learn all about the Easter Egg tradition, including the incredible investment potential of Good Friday eggs:

It’s Palm Sunday, and U.S. Patent No. 2,143,869 provides a holder for your palms:

The Vernal Equinox, and the start of Spring, occurred March 19, 2020, at 10:59 PM CDT.

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone could use a wee bit of the luck of the Irish. Here are collection of shamrock design patents to bring a little luck to you on St. Patrick’s Day 2020:

Finally, what says “lucky” more than a Shamrock Shaped Bingo Dobber: