See Historic Patent Models at the NIHF Museum

Progress happens when inventors turn their good ideas into reality. The National Inventors Hall of Fame^® showcases innovation that has transformed industries and changed the world. Every year we feature new inventions in our museum space, and right now you can see a selection of patent models from our collection, highlighting historic innovation in America.

History of Patent Models

Patent models were miniature representations of inventions submitted by inventors alongside applications and diagrams to demonstrate their functionality. Beginning in 1790, the U.S. Patent Office required applicants to submit models of their inventions, no larger than 12 by 12 by 12 inches in size. Some inventors built their own models while others hired professional model makers, and although functionality was not required, many models were fully functional.

The requirement to submit a model along with a patent application was removed in 1870, but the Patent Office still requested models from applicants until 1880.

During the 90 years in which the Patent Office required or requested models, they accrued a very large collection of models and placed them on public display. In 1836, a fire at the Patent Office resulted in the tragic loss of the entire model collection. After the fire, the Patent Office moved to the building that is now the National Portrait Gallery and attempted to restore some of the lost models. In 1877, the Patent Office once again was damaged by a fire that destroyed tens of thousands of models. About 27,000 models survived the flames, including the approximately 250 models in the National Inventors Hall of Fame collection.

Visit Us to Explore American Textile Innovation

The models currently on display at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum showcase American innovation in the field of textiles.

The Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and 19th centuries brought a flurry of textile innovations as new inventions emerged, and improvements were made on existing technologies. These innovations led clothing production to become much cheaper and more efficient and to require less labor. This in turn made clothing more affordable to the consumer, transforming not only the textile industry but also the economy and people's everyday lives.

We Hope to See You Soon!

Admission to the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum is always free, and visitors of all ages are sure to find inspiration. To plan your visit to see our patent models and so much more, keep exploring invent.org.