1787
'Copyright Clause': Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution
Empowers the United States Congress: To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.
1790
1st U.S. patent issued (www.uspto.gov)
' method of making potash and pearl ash by burning WOOD ashes a second time before dissolving them to extract potash.'