Who holds over 1,000 patents?

Asked by: Yoshiko Ebert  |  Last update: April 23, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (10 votes)

The famous holder of over 1,000 patents is Thomas Edison, the American inventor known as "The Wizard of Menlo Park," who secured 1,093 U.S. patents for inventions like the light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera, though the most prolific modern patent holder is Shunpei Yamazaki with over 11,000 patents.

Who has more than 1000 patents?

Thomas Alva Edison, 1847-1931 - Pub c1895. Thomas Alva Edison was one of the most prolific and influential inventors in history. Born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio, Edison held over 1,000 patents for his inventions, which ranged from electric light and power systems to motion picture cameras and phonographs.

Who has the highest number of patents?

Patents by Country 2026

  • China. 1,044,777.
  • United States. 603,194.
  • Japan. 306,855.
  • South Korea. 246,245.
  • India. 64,941.

What person has the most US patents?

While Thomas Edison holds the historical record for an individual American inventor (over 1,000 patents), today's landscape sees companies like Samsung and IBM leading, with Samsung often topping overall grants and IBM holding records for annual U.S. patents for decades, though recent data shows others like Apple and LG close behind in company rankings. For individuals, researchers like Lowell Wood and Roderick Hyde have amassed thousands of patents, with Wood having over 5,000. 

What did Terrance Howard patent?

Terrence Howard has patented concepts related to augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) systems, specifically a "System and Method for Merging Virtual Experience," and also holds patents for \"electric building blocks\" and gaming machine reels, though his prominent AR/VR patent was famously abandoned, leading to claims of missed earnings while the technology progressed.
 

The Man with Over 1,000 Patents

24 related questions found

Who is the only US president to hold a patent?

Abraham Lincoln is the only U.S. president to have received a patent, which was for a device to help boats navigate shallow waters by using inflatable air chambers to increase buoyancy (Patent No. 6,469, issued May 22, 1849). The invention, called "Buoying Vessels Over Shoals," stemmed from Lincoln's own experiences as a ferryman when boats would get stuck.
 

How many patents does Albert Einstein have?

However, while Einstein is known as a great theoretical physicist, few possibly knew that he had more than 50 patents in his names and in several counties. How did a great theoretical physicist get interested in patenting inventions?

Is it possible for Elon Musk to be a trillionaire?

Yes, financial analysts and reports project Elon Musk could become the world's first trillionaire, with some forecasts pointing to as early as 2027, driven by massive growth potential in SpaceX, Tesla's expanding ventures (like robotics), and xAI. While a 2018 Tesla pay package offers significant stock rewards tied to major performance milestones, achieving trillionaire status hinges on meeting ambitious targets for Tesla's market value, EV/robot production, and self-driving adoption, alongside continued success with SpaceX and AI. 

How long does a patent last?

How Long Do Patents Last? The patent's life varies depending on the type, with utility patents and nonprovisional applications lasting 20 years from the filing date and design patents extending 15 years from the date the patent is issued. Provisional patents only secure a filing date.

Who is the black woman with 200 patents?

Marian Croak is currently named as an inventor on over 200 patents, and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2022. Along with Dr. Patricia Bath, she was one of the first two African American women ever to be inducted.

Who owns the most intellectual property?

Detailed profiles of today's biggest 5 global patent powerhouses:

  1. State Grid Corporation (China) Headquartered in Beijing, the State Grid Corporation holds the largest patent portfolio globally. ...
  2. Samsung (South Korea) ...
  3. Huawei (China) ...
  4. Toyota Motor (Japan) ...
  5. Canon (Japan)

Who had over 1,000 patents in his lifetime?

In his 84 years, Thomas Edison acquired a record number of 1,093 patents (singly or jointly) and was the driving force behind such innovations as the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb and one of the earliest motion picture cameras. He also created the world's first industrial research laboratory.

Who failed 999 times?

Thomas Edison (1847–1931), American inventor and founder of General Electric Corporation, famously failed to make a working electric light bulb 999 times, or so the myth goes, but was successful on his 1,000th attempt.

Who has the most 6G patents?

China leads global 6G patent applications. At the 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, the China Internet Development Report 2025 showed that as of the first half of 2025, China accounted for about 40.3% of global 6G patent applications, ranking first in the world. In the field of AI...

What are the big 5 patents?

The five patent offices are the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), and the National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA formerly SIPO) in China.

Who is the #1 billionaire in the world?

The number one billionaire in the world, as of late 2025/early 2026, is consistently Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), with real-time estimates placing his net worth well over $700 billion, though rankings fluctuate with market changes, followed by figures like Larry Page and Jeff Bezos. Musk's wealth is heavily tied to his stakes in Tesla (automotive), SpaceX (space exploration), and his AI company, xAI.
 

What diagnosis does Elon Musk have?

Elon Musk disclosed he has Asperger's syndrome (now considered part of Autism Spectrum Disorder) during his May 2021 Saturday Night Live monologue, noting it explains his sometimes unusual behavior and intense focus, with his mother also confirming his traits since childhood. While Asperger's isn't a formal diagnosis anymore, it highlights his challenges with social cues and literal thinking, which he frames as strengths in his work, alongside potentially related mood shifts mentioned in biographies, though he tweeted about bipolarity without a formal diagnosis.
 

How did Elon Musk suddenly get so rich?

Musk's influence, amplified by his ventures like Neuralink, xAI, and the Boring Company, has propelled him to the top. Tesla's stock surged 65% post-election, boosting his wealth further. Musk's $400 billion fortune is $136 billion more than Jeff Bezos, solidifying his position as the world's richest person.

What did Marilyn Monroe say to Einstein?

Marilyn Monroe famously joked to Albert Einstein, "We should have a baby together – one with your brains and my beauty!" and Einstein reportedly quipped back, "Yes, but imagine if he had my looks and your intelligence!". While this exchange is a popular anecdote highlighting Monroe's hidden intelligence (she reportedly had a high IQ) and Einstein's wit, it's often shared as a humorous story rather than a documented historical event, possibly originating from fiction like the novel Albert & Marilyn. 

What is US Patent #1?

The first U.S. patent was granted to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer on July 31. President George Washington signed the first patent.

Why did Oppenheimer and Einstein not get along?

Einstein never considered Oppenheimer as his close friend, "perhaps partly because our scientific opinions are fairly diametrically different." Both differed in their views as physicists, but were allied as humanists.

Who is the only U.S. president to have a PhD?

The only U.S. President with a Ph.D. is Woodrow Wilson, who earned his doctorate in History and Government from Johns Hopkins University in 1886, making him the sole president with an earned doctorate degree. Wilson, a scholar and university president before his presidency, remains unique in this academic achievement.
 

What is the most valuable patent in history?

Patent No. 174,465, granted to Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 for the invention of the telephone, is often heralded as one of the most valuable patents ever issued.

Does Michael Jackson have a patent?

In 1993, Jackson, along with his collaborators Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins, filed a U.S. patent (US5255452A) for a special shoe system that made it possible to perform an otherwise impossible move: leaning forward at a sharp angle without losing balance, as if gravity had suddenly stopped working.