Patents and Cartographic Inventions: A New Perspective for Map History

Patents and Cartographic Inventions examines the history of map-related patents filed with the U.S. Patent Office from the mid-nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries. The book presents case studies of inventors who sought to protect their cartographic innovations through the patent system. The narrative follows various patent applications, from map folding techniques to globe displays and relief maps. Monmonier explores both successful and unsuccessful patent submissions, documenting the review process and the criteria used by patent examiners to evaluate these inventions. The text includes reproductions of patent drawings and specifications, providing visual context for the technical descriptions. Each chapter focuses on a specific type of cartographic invention, examining the historical context and technological challenges faced by the inventors. This work reveals the intersection of innovation, commerce, and cartography in American history, while raising questions about intellectual property rights in mapmaking. The patent system emerges as a lens through which to view both technological progress and the evolving relationship between maps and society.

This book appears to have very limited reader reviews available online. No reviews were found on Goodreads or mainstream book review sites. What readers liked: - Detailed examination of patent applications for map-related inventions - Focus on historical inventions that never gained widespread adoption - Technical illustrations and patent drawings What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Limited audience appeal beyond cartography specialists - High price point for a niche academic text Available Ratings: - No ratings on Goodreads - Not rated on Amazon - Only professional reviews found in academic journals The book seems to target academic researchers and cartography specialists rather than general readers. The lack of consumer reviews suggests limited distribution outside university libraries and specialized collections. Reviews in academic journals focus on its contribution to cartographic research rather than general readability.

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🗺️ Author Mark Monmonier has written over 20 books about maps and cartography, and is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University 📜 The book examines 19th and early 20th century map-related patents, revealing how inventors tried to solve cartographic challenges like folding maps and globe construction 🔍 Many of the patents discussed in the book never made it to market, providing a unique window into "failed" innovations that traditional map history often overlooks 📊 The book explores unusual cartographic inventions like self-folding maps, map-drawing devices, and relief globes that could be inflated like balloons 🏆 Published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2017, this work won the John Brinckerhoff Jackson Prize from the American Association of Geographers for its contribution to the field of historical geography