From Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia Jefferson's position on the
granting of patents changed through the years. In his article
"Godfather of American Invention," Silvio Bedini notes that in
1787 Jefferson's opposition to monopoly in any form led him to
oppose patents. But by 1789, Jefferson's firm opposition had
weakened. Writing to James Madison, Jefferson said he approved
the Bill of Rights as far as it went, but would like to see the
addition of an article specifying that "Monopolies may be
allowed to person for their own productions in literature, and
their own inventions in the arts, for a term not exceeding ---
years, but for no longer term and for no other purpose." Also in
1789, while Jefferson was still in Paris, the first patent act
was introduced during the first session of Congress and enacted
into law April 10, 1790. Under the new law, the Secretaries of
War and State and the Attorney General constituted a three-man
review board, with the Secretary of State (Jefferson), playing
the leading role. Tw