Abstract
In this paper, we construct a new bibliographic indicator of patent quality for English patents granted in the period 1700–1850. The indicator is based on the relative visibility of each patent both in the contemporary legal and engineering literature and in modern authoritative works on the history of science and technology. The indicator permits to operationalize empirically the distinction between micro and macro-inventions which has featured prominently in the recent debates on the origins of the Industrial Revolution (Allen 2009; Mokyr 2009). Our findings indicate that macro-inventions did not exhibit any specific time clustering, while micro-inventions are correlated to the economic cycle. In addition, we also find that macro-inventions were not the result of the activities of “outsiders” and they were characterized by a labor-saving bias. These findings are further explored in the context of mechanical engineering, where we find confirmation that professional and experienced machine-makers were responsible for the most important inventions, while machine users usually engaged in minor improvements.
Original language | English |
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Journal | The Journal of Economic History |
Volume | 80 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 597-598 |
Number of pages | 2 |
ISSN | 0022-0507 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2020 |
Event | Economic History Association 79th Annual Meeting. EHA 2019 - Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta, United States Duration: 13 Sept 2019 → 15 Sept 2019 Conference number: 79 https://eh.net/eha/conference-program-and-papers-3/ |
Conference
Conference | Economic History Association 79th Annual Meeting. EHA 2019 |
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Number | 79 |
Location | Westin Peachtree Plaza |
Country/Territory | United States |
City | Atlanta |
Period | 13/09/2019 → 15/09/2019 |
Internet address |