First U.S. antifouling paint patentIn 1863, the first U.S. patent for an antifouling paint for ships' hulls was issued to J.G. Tarr and A.H. Wonson (No. 40515) for a copper oxide, tar and naptha mixture. They claimed that a ship's hull thus painted could have protection against growth of barnacle shells and seaweeds lasting "for a period of twelve months, while another vessel painted in the common manner and employed in the same trade became so foul in six weeks as to require scraping." They took out an anti-corrosion antifouling paint patent on 13 Jun 1865 (U.S. No.48221). Fouling of a ship's bottom was a serious problem because it increases drag and greatly reduces a ship's speed. A British antifouling paint patent was issued on 31 Aug 1625 to William Beale.« |
