This Week In American History: Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi was the French sculptor most famous for Liberty Enlightening the World, also known as the Statue of Liberty. On February 18, 1879 the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Bartholdi a design patent for the Statue of Liberty.
A Trademark vs. A Design Patent
A trademark is a recognizable sign, phrase, or symbol that denotes a product or service and legally differentiates it from all others of its kind. Meanwhile, a design patent allows the owner of the patent to exclude others from making, using, or selling the design. While a trademark may last forever as long as it is renewed every ten years, a design patent only lasts for fourteen years. Bartholdi received design patent USD11023 for the Statue of Liberty.
Coming To America
Bartholdi completed construction on the Statue of Liberty in France in July of 1884. When done, the Statue stood over 305 feet tall. In order to be brought to America, the statue first had to be disassembled into 350 pieces and placed in 214 crates. The ship carrying the Statue from France to America arrived at its final destination: New York Harbor on June 17, 1885. Finally, on October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty on Bedloe’s Island. Bedloe’s Island is now known as Liberty Island.
The Statue of Liberty Today
Liberty Enlightening the World remains one of the most recognized works of art in the world; seen as a symbol of freedom and hope. Each year people from around the world continue to travel so they can see her in person.
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Info Source: SmithsonianMag.com, Patentyogi.com, and StatueofLiberty.org
Photo Source: AdobeStock
