Jimmy Carter

“ Section 8 of Article I of our Constitution provides that the Congress shall have the power "to promote the progress of science and useful arts" by giving inventors, for a limited time, the exclusive right to their discoveries. The First Congress enacted legislation to this end, which, when signed by President George Washington on April 10, 1790 became the first United States patent law.
The patent incentive has prompted thousands of individuals to create, perfect. and bring to the marketplace inventions that have contributed to our health and welfare and to the productivity of our labor. ”

“ His ingenuity changed the lives of people in America and all over the world. In honor of the critical role played by inventors in promoting progress, and in recognition of their contributions to the welfare of this Nation, I have designated February 11, 1980, as "National Inventors' Day." ”