The word 'patent' comes from the Latin 'litterae patentes', meaning an open letter. The first recorded patent of invention was granted to John of Utynam. In 1449, he was awarded a 20-year monopoly for a glass-making process previously unknown in England. In return, John was required to teach his process to native Englishmen. That same function of passing on information is now fulfilled by the publication of a patent specification.
