--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the world's history certain inventions…" description: "\"In the world's history certain inventions and discoveries occurred of peculiar value, on account of their great efficiency in facilitating all other in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/294/abraham-lincoln-88_accounts_in-the-world-s-history-certain-invention_1793533.png" --- # In the world's history certain inventions and discoveries… ![“In the world's history certain inventions and discoveries occurred of peculiar value, on account of their great efficiency in facilitating all other inventions and discoveris. Of these were the art of writing and of printing, the discovery of America, and the introduction of patent laws. The date…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/294/abraham-lincoln-88_accounts_in-the-world-s-history-certain-invention_1793533.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/294/abraham-lincoln-88_accounts_in-the-world-s-history-certain-invention_1793533.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/294/abraham-lincoln-88_accounts_in-the-world-s-history-certain-invention_1793533.png) > “In the world's history certain inventions and discoveries occurred of peculiar value, on account of their great efficiency in facilitating all other inventions and discoveris. Of these were the art of writing and of printing, the discovery of America, and the introduction of patent laws. The date of the first ... is unknown; but it certainly was as much as fifteen hundred years before the Christian era; the second-printing-came in 1436, or nearly three thousand years after the first. The others followed more rapidly-the discovery of America in 1492, and the first patent laws in 1624.” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Key inventions act as catalysts, accelerating subsequent discoveries and societal progress. **In simple terms:** Great ideas spark many others. Key Takeaway Recognize and support breakthrough innovations. Themes innovation progress history catalyst Mood thoughtful optimistic Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - technology adoption - educational reform - policy making - entrepreneurship Key Concepts printing patent law discovery America Questions to Reflect On - Which modern breakthrough could be a catalyst? - How can we nurture future catalysts? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on single inventions can ignore broader context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accounts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accounts/) [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art of writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-writing/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Certain Inventions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain-inventions-1967776/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Discovery of america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery-of-america/) [Efficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficiency/) [Eras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eras/) [Fifteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fifteen/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Hundred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hundred/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Introduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introduction/) [Introduction Patent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introduction-patent-1967777/) [Invention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invention/) [Inventions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inventions/) [Inventions Discoveries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inventions-discoveries-1967775/) [Inventions Discoveris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inventions-discoveris-1967778/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Patent law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patent-law/) [Patents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patents/) [Peculiar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peculiar/) [Printing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/printing/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Thousand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) [Three](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The US patent system adds the fuel of interest to the fire of genius in the discovery and production of new and useful things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-us-patent-system-adds-the-fuel-of-interest-to-the-fire-of-genius/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [A major one which no one can overlook is technological and based on inventions and discoveries which have altered the whole basis of production…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-greene-balch/a-major-one-which-no-one-can-overlook-is-technological-and-based-on/) [Emily Greene Balch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-greene-balch/) > [There is a great difference between discoveries and inventions. With discoveries, one can always be skeptical, and many surprises can take place. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-heisenberg/there-is-a-great-difference-between-discoveries-and-inventions-with/) [Werner Heisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-heisenberg/) > [A country without a patent office and good patent laws is just a crab, and can't travel any way but sideways and backways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-country-without-a-patent-office-and-good-patent-laws-is-just-a-crab/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Patent law holds us back, in every which way, shape or form. There is place for it, in physical products, in pharmaceuticals, but in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/patent-law-holds-us-back-in-every-which-way-shape-or-form-there-is/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [While the Nation has forbidden monopoly by one set of laws it has been creating them by another. Patent laws, valuable as they may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-jackson/while-the-nation-has-forbidden-monopoly-by-one-set-of-laws-it-has/) [Robert H. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-jackson/) > [“Patent law is a very interesting form of property,” she says. “With all other forms of property, you have ownership rights; but along with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/patent-law-is-a-very-interesting-form-of-property-she-says-with-all/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [That reminds me to remark, in passing, that the very first official thing I did, in my administration-and it was on the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/that-reminds-me-to-remark-in-passing-that-the-very-first-official/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“Grant is the beginning of the Patent Game, not its end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalyan-c-kankanala/grant-is-the-beginning-of-the-patent-game-not-its-end/) [Kalyan C. Kankanala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalyan-c-kankanala/) > [ As the commercial confrontation between \[free software\] and software-that's-a-product becomes more fierce, patent law's going to be the terrain on which a big piece… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eben-moglen/as-the-commercial-confrontation-between-free-software-and-software/) [Eben Moglen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eben-moglen/) > [“The New World's purpose was to be The Old World's Eden - a place of dreams to wipe clean the mistakes and sins of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/the-new-world-s-purpose-was-to-be-the-old-world-s-eden-a-place-of/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [I began writing in the 4th grade. As a matter of fact, I produced a play for the entire school. It was about Leif…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-darden/i-began-writing-in-the-4th-grade-as-a-matter-of-fact-i-produced-a/) [Christopher Darden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-darden/) > [What a blessing this smoking is! Perhaps the greatest that we owe to the discovery of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/what-a-blessing-this-smoking-is-perhaps-the-greatest-that-we-owe-to/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [“Patent Law cannot afford to sit and watch while technology advancement changes its dynamics”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalyan-c-kankanala/patent-law-cannot-afford-to-sit-and-watch-while-technology/) [Kalyan C. Kankanala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalyan-c-kankanala/) ## More by Abraham Lincoln > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-know-southern-men-declare-that-their-slaves-are-better-off-than/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More Accounts quotes > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is nothing that we can properly call our own but our time, and yet everybody fools us out of it who has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/there-is-nothing-that-we-can-properly-call-our-own-but-our-time-and/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [The Hindus have a peculiar slovenliness in business matters, not being sufficiently methodical and strict in keeping accounts etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-hindus-have-a-peculiar-slovenliness-in-business-matters-not-being/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [With the Truman book, I wrote the entire account of his experiences in World War I before going over to Europe to follow his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mccullough/with-the-truman-book-i-wrote-the-entire-account-of-his-experiences-in/) [David McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mccullough/) > [A great read; an exciting, frightening account of organized crime today. 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