Aesthetic Degradation of Patent Drawings

Still Design Patent, 1808 – US 912Norman Chan

The drawing looks straight out of a da Vinci paintbrush with a complete 3-D view. The intrinsic detailing helps one guess the material of every component that will be used when the invention comes to life.

Diving Dress, 1810 – US 1405Chauncy Hall

From designing the invention on a wearer to illustrating how and where the invention can be used, the illustrator went to great lengths to add depth and detail.

Raft Design, 1818 – US 2912David Gordon

The finer details of sailing the raft in swift waters and rocky terrain powers up the invention.

Mechanical Fan, 1830 – US 6263 James Barron

The resting man in a couch is all the detail that one needs to believe in the invention and the comfort that it promises to offer.

Harp Guitar, 1831

US 6788E.N. Sherr

The drawing clearly shows that the strings can be individually plucked, true to its name of a Harp Guitar.

Fire Ladder, 1831US 6490

James Johnson

From a raging fire to fire fighters spewing water and rescue personnel, the drawing is replete with details of how the Fire Ladder can be put to use.

Artificial Arm, 1865 – US 51238 AJohn Condell

A complete 3-D view of the invention, along with details of cross sections, this drawing must have done absolute justice to the model of the invention.

Typewriter, 1869US 79265

Sholes, Glidden & Soule

From the platen knob to the key top, the ribbon spool to the type wheel, the invention is all clear in this one illustration.

Life-Preserving Coffin, 1843 – US 3335Christian Henry Eisenbrandt

Worried about being buried alive, the inventor created this life-preserving coffin that would throw open the lid with the slightest movement of the body. The springs and levers are all here in intricate details, just in case you are wondering how!

Washing Machine, 1844 – US 1844O. B. Wright

A cross-section of the rotating blades and its movement perspective speaks more than the patent might have.

Flying Machine, 1869 – US 95513W. F. Quinby

From hand positions to flexed muscles, tapering moustaches to arched eyebrows, the illustrator has delved into detailing to bring the invention to life on paper. It also defines the use of metal, strings and wood in various parts of the invention.

Road Vehicle, 1895 – US 540648C. E. Duryea

From a cushioned seat to sturdy metallic spokes, the vehicle’s design complements the mechanical details of its functioning with pure aesthetic sense.

Horse Blanket, 1905US 806925A. H. Meyers

After the 1880s, the USPTO did not insist on models of the invention accompanying the patent. This lowered the priority of drawings and saw the downward spiral of their aesthetic presence in patents.

This illustration created in the early stages of this change sticks to detailing, albeit lower than its predecessors. There’s emphasis on the blanket design, with the horse pushed to the background.

Bird Cage, 1930US 80524

F. E. Greene

Unlike earlier patents that detailed even the material used through illustrations, black and white drawings of the 1900s could resort to as much detailing as this illustration.

Silhouettes of persons and the drawing of a yacht in the sea is the prime aesthetic aspect of this image, while the projections on the sides describe the bird perches.

Safety Helmet with Face Guard, 1960 - US 2944263

D. H. Rayburn

Marking a radical shift towards showcasing just the technical aspects of an invention, this drawing details all parts of the safety helmet, with a reference image of its usage.

The illustrator, however, has worked brilliantly within the limits of using just black ink. The stippling practically brings the invention and the wearer to life. Even the labelling of the figure has an artistic intent, though it is more conformed to the style of the 1960s.

Buoyant Bullet-Proof Combat Uniform, 1968 – US 3398406

N. J. Waterbury

This illustration tolls us back to the heydays with its intricate detailing. The invention is shown in its practical usage, including its role in case of an attack.

The fire from a gun, crash landing of an aircraft, its ensuing smoke and a parachute-lander, coupled with the text marking figures – all support its aesthetic quality.

Apple Logo Telephone, 1985 – US 3398406N. J. Waterbury

Illustrations begin to show excessive focus on specific details of the patent. However, the artist has added a couple of nuances, such as the stippling, that add more depth to the drawing.

Wearable Computing Device, 1996US 5798907 ACraig M. Janik

Marking a nearly-complete shift towards describing just the invention, this illustration in black ink shows a perspective view of how the invention can be strapped on the wearer. It also details the input/ output device.

The style of marking figures also witnesses a change from the 1960s and 1970s, getting more plain and matter-of-fact.

PC Peripheral Interactive Doll,

1998US 6319010 B1Dan Kikinis

Going… going… nearly gone.

That’s pretty much the story with this patent diagram.

Filled with technical details of bi-directional communication with a doll, the illustration is purely for patent purposes.

Wearable Electric Field Detector, 2000

US 6329924 B1William J. McNulty

A single invention described in parts through four images, the 2000s herald the era of purely subjective patent illustrations. This is reinforced with the practical font of pointing to figures, the artistic curves of the past forgotten altogether.

Head-Mounted Display Locks During Unnatural Movement, 2011

US 8223024 B1David Petrou

With a basic diagram of the face, ears and eyes – parts of the body that the invention encompasses, patent diagrams have traversed a long and tedious path to become nothing more than simple lines and shapes with subjective emphasis on the invention and nothing beyond that.