A History of Intellectual Property in 50 Objects

If you’re a creator — an inventor, an artist, an author, or a designer — then the two magic words for you and your brand are “intellectual property.” It’s how you protect your hard work, how you protect your source of income, and how you prevent others from taking advantage of your creativity by piggybacking on your innovation.

But it’s been a long journey for the concept of intellectual property, a battle that took centuries to unfold, and one that is still being waged in courtrooms and across the Internet as we continue to adapt in the wake of new paradigm shift.

A History of Intellectual Property in 50 Objects boils down centuries of legal precedent and business history into a fascinating, yet concise read, covering the history of creative expression, personal rights, and the development of corporate brands. With rich, full-color photography bringing each object and scenario to life as the timeline proceeds throughout the book, hard questions and historical curiosities alike are explored. Be it an escalator or a Coca-Cola bottle, there’s plenty to unpack in each entry.

There are numerous “History in 50/100 Objects” books out there, but this is the most engaging, intriguing, and expansive I’ve seen yet.