This, as with the patent comment, takes quotes out of context. The specific context relevant here is that while Jefferson was initially skeptical of patents, af

This, as with the patent comment, takes quotes out of context. The specific context relevant here is that while Jefferson was initially skeptical of patents, after only two months of being one of the first patent examiners, he became a firm believer. [1] "An act of Congress authorising the issuing patents for new discoveries has given a spring to invention beyond my conception. Being an instrument in granting the patents, I am acquainted with their discoveries. Many of them indeed are trifling, but there are some of great consequence which have been proved by practice, and others which if they stand the same proof will produce great effect." - Jefferson to Benjamin Vaughan, June 27 1790 [2] [1] http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/patents http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/pate... [2] http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-16-02-0342 http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-16-02-03...