IP Review - Inside the world of intellectual property|
- FOR ARTICLES on:
- Patents
- Trademarks
- Domains
- Software
- IP strategy
Quick Links
Columnists
HAVE YOUR SAY in the ip review poll
Which type of magazine do you read the most to keep up-to-date with Industry news?
Brunelleschi's Monster Patent: Il Badalone
Notes & Quotes
Brunelleschi's Monster Patent: Il Badalone
The world’s first patent was arguably granted in 1421 to Filippo Brunelleschi for an improved method of transporting goods up and down the river Arno in Florence (a notoriously tricky business). In contrast to modern patents, the document is singularly vague about the nature of the invention. This is because Brunelleschi, architect of the magnificent dome of the city’s cathedral, was so revered by the authorities that he was able to strike a deal on his own terms: he would only reveal the details of his brainchild once he had been granted a three-year monopoly.
The machine seems to have been a flat-keeled boat with paddle wheels, designed to be towed by smaller boats. It was unveiled in 1428, long after Brunelleschi’s initial patent had expired. Nicknamed ‘Il Badalone’ (‘The Monster’), the vessel was launched from Pisa with a cargo of 50 tonnes of Carrara marble. After 25 miles, disaster struck. Il Baldalone sank and the entire load was lost. Brunelleschi never fully recovered.
Below are the salient portions of the patent:
‘The Magnificent and Powerful Lords, Lords Magistrate, and Standard Bearer of Justice: Considering that the admirable Filippo Brunelleschi … has invented some machine or kind of ship, by means of which he thinks he can easily, at any time, bring in any merchandise and load on the river Arno … and that he refuses to make such machine available to the public … [but would] if he enjoyed some prerogative concerning this…and desiring that this matter… shall be brought to light to be of profit to both said Filippo and our whole country … they deliberated on 19 June 1421;
That no person alive, wherever born and of whatever status, dignity, quality, and grade, shall dare or presume, within three years…to commit any of the following acts on … any … river, stagnant water, swamp, or water running or existing in the territory of Florence: to have, hold, or use in any manner… a machine or ship or other instrument designed to …transport on water any… goods, except such ship or machine or instrument as they may have used until now for similar operations,… and further that any such new or newly shaped machine, etc. shall be burned;
Provided however that the foregoing shall not be held to cover, and shall not apply to, any newly invented or newly shaped machine, etc. designed to ship, transport or travel on water, which may be made by Filippo Brunelleschi or with his will and consent.’
The world’s first patent was arguably granted in 1421 to Filippo Brunelleschi for an improved method of transporting goods up and down the river Arno in Florence (a notoriously tricky business). In contrast to modern patents, the document is singularly vague about the nature of the invention. This is because Brunelleschi, architect of the magnificent dome of the city’s cathedral, was so revered by the authorities that he was able to strike a deal on his own terms: he would only reveal the details of his brainchild once he had been granted a three-year monopoly.
The machine seems to have been a flat-keeled boat with paddle wheels, designed to be towed by smaller boats. It was unveiled in 1428, long after Brunelleschi’s initial patent had expired. Nicknamed ‘Il Badalone’ (‘The Monster’), the vessel was launched from Pisa with a cargo of 50 tonnes of Carrara marble. After 25 miles, disaster struck. Il Baldalone sank and the entire load was lost. Brunelleschi never fully recovered.
Below are the salient portions of the patent:
‘The Magnificent and Powerful Lords, Lords Magistrate, and Standard Bearer of Justice: Considering that the admirable Filippo Brunelleschi … has invented some machine or kind of ship, by means of which he thinks he can easily, at any time, bring in any merchandise and load on the river Arno … and that he refuses to make such machine available to the public … [but would] if he enjoyed some prerogative concerning this…and desiring that this matter… shall be brought to light to be of profit to both said Filippo and our whole country … they deliberated on 19 June 1421;
That no person alive, wherever born and of whatever status, dignity, quality, and grade, shall dare or presume, within three years…to commit any of the following acts on … any … river, stagnant water, swamp, or water running or existing in the territory of Florence: to have, hold, or use in any manner… a machine or ship or other instrument designed to …transport on water any… goods, except such ship or machine or instrument as they may have used until now for similar operations,… and further that any such new or newly shaped machine, etc. shall be burned;
Provided however that the foregoing shall not be held to cover, and shall not apply to, any newly invented or newly shaped machine, etc. designed to ship, transport or travel on water, which may be made by Filippo Brunelleschi or with his will and consent.’
