First machine patentIn 1646, the first patent for any machine in the New World was issued by the Pilgrim Bay Colony to Joseph Jenkes, Mass. with these words: “The Cort, considering the necessity of raising such manufactures of engines of mils to go by water, for speedy dispatch of much worke with few hands, & being sufficiently informed of the ability of the petions to pforme such workes, grant his petition (yt no othr pson shall set up or use any such new invention or trade for fourteen yeares, without the licence of him, the said Joseph Jenkes” |