Dr William Thornton was appointed as first clerk at the Department of State, giving him sole responsibility over patents
On Jun. 1, 1802, the U.S. Secretary of State appointed Dr. William Thornton as first clerk at the Department of State, giving him sole responsibility over patent review and issuing οΎ effectively beginning the first patent office.
Today, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is housed under the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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Source: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Credit: Portrait of Dr. William Thornton by George B. Matthews.
