Alaska Patent of the Month – August 2025
While the USPTO may not hold many patents from the Last Frontier, the state’s true innovation lies in its history of survival-driven invention. For centuries, Alaska Natives have developed groundbreaking technologies essential for thriving in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments. These aren’t just one-off gadgets; they’re foundational designs that have stood the test of time and continue to influence modern technology.
Among the most iconic of these is the kayak. Developed by the Inuit, Aleut, and Yup’ik peoples, these narrow, agile vessels were expertly crafted from driftwood or whalebone frames and covered with stretched sealskin. The design was revolutionary for its sleekness, stealth, and ability to be sealed against water, making it a perfect tool for hunting marine mammals. This ancient design is a testament to the power of biomimicry and remains largely unchanged today in recreational and competitive kayaking.
Another crucial invention is the snow goggle. Carved from bone, ivory, or wood, these simple yet brilliant tools featured narrow slits to reduce the sun’s intense glare off the snow, preventing a painful and dangerous condition known as “snow blindness.” This practical solution serves as the direct predecessor to modern sunglasses. These examples showcase a legacy of ingenuity that prioritizes functionality and deep ecological knowledge, often developed far from traditional R&D labs and patent submissions.
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Are you developing new or improved products, or thinking of applying for a patent? Did you know your research work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please check out our free online eligibility test.
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Swanson Reed is one of the largest Specialist R&D Tax Credit advisory firm in the United States. With offices nationwide, we are one of the only firms globally to exclusively provide R&D Tax Credit consulting services to our clients. We have been exclusively providing R&D Tax Credit claim preparation and audit compliance solutions for over 30 years.
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What is the R&D Tax Credit?
The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.
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Swanson Reed is one of the only companies in the United States to exclusively focus on R&D tax credit preparation. Swanson Reed provides state and federal R&D tax credit preparation and audit services to all 50 states.
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