The author of this book, after a number of years' experience in Patent Causes, is constrained to enter a strong protest against the enormous waste and loss attendant on methods at present pursued in regard to patents. This loss and waste is largely due to a lack of business knowledge necessary to properly market and develop inventions. History shows that enormous profits can be earned from good, strong patents.

A careful perusal of the following pages will point out some of the dangers to be avoided and the safe and reasonable course to be pursued. Invention is a matter that requires the deepest study, and should be approached, not in a haphazard, hit-or-miss fashion, but rather in a receptive, studious, analytical manner. While the average individual is fond of giving advice, no one enjoys accepting it. There is no one, however, who so needs competent, unprejudiced advice as the inventor.

A genius is more or less prejudiced in certain directions, and it has been found that the prejudice oftentimes runs against the acceptance of well-intentioned criticism.

"Our judgment is like our watches,—none go just alike, but each believes his own."

It is to be hoped that this volume will be the means of saving, as well as earning, money for the hosts of deserving American geniuses.

The Author.

Philadelphia, March, 1909.