Who received the first US patent for the telephone in 1876?
AnswerAlexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell was granted the US telephone patent in March 1876.
History · Facts & stats
Inventors facts & stats
7 fact-checked facts about inventors and inventions, each with the reason behind it. 5 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.
The basics
What does a patent give an inventor?
AnswerExclusive rights to an invention for a limited time
A patent lets the holder stop others from making, using or selling the invention for a set period.
Going deeper
Swiss engineer George de Mestral was inspired by burrs stuck to his dog's fur to invent what?
AnswerThe hook-and-loop fastener
Studying burrs under a microscope led de Mestral to create hook-and-loop fasteners.
James Watt made key improvements to which machine?
AnswerThe steam engine
Watt's separate condenser made steam engines much more efficient, powering the Industrial Revolution.
In most countries, how long does a standard patent last from its filing date?
Answer20 years
International trade rules set a minimum patent term of 20 years from filing, which most countries use.
Expert level
Charles Babbage designed which early general-purpose mechanical computer?
AnswerThe Analytical Engine
Babbage's Analytical Engine design of the 1830s had a memory and processor, though it was never fully built.
Which Scottish inventor gave the first public demonstration of a working television in 1926?
AnswerJohn Logie Baird
John Logie Baird demonstrated moving television images in London in January 1926.
Know these cold?Today's round is five questions like these, 20 seconds each. Your streak and level follow you to every arena.Play today's round