TY  - JOUR
AU  - Khan,B. Zorina
AU  - Sokoloff,Kenneth L.
TI  - 'Schemes of Practical Utility': Entrepreneurship and Innovation Among 'Great Inventors' in the United States, 1790-1865
JF  - National Bureau of Economic Research Historical Working Paper Series
VL  - No. 42
PY  - 1992
Y2  - October 1992
UR  - http://www.nber.org/papers/h0042
L1  - http://www.nber.org/papers/h0042.pdf
N1  - Author contact info:
B. Zorina Khan
9700 College Station
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME 04011
Tel: 207-725-3841
Fax: 207/725-3691
E-Mail: bkhan@bowdoin.edu

Kenneth L. Sokoloff
Department of Economics
UCLA
405 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA  90095-1477
Tel: 310/825-4249
Fax: 310/825-9528
E-Mail: N/A user is deceased
AB  - The growth in inventive activity during early American industrialization is explored by examining the careers of 160 inventors credited with important technological discoveries. Analysis of biographical information and complete patent histories through 1865 indicates that these 'great inventors' were entrepreneurial and responded systematically to market demand. Their inventions were procyclical and originated disproportionately from localities linked with extensive markets. Although not exceptional in terms of schooling or technical skills, they vigorously pursued the returns to their inventions, redirected their inventive activity to meet emerging needs, and were distinguished by high geographical mobility towards districts conducive to invention.
ER  -