In case you haven’t seen it, WIPO has an interesting tool that allows you look at patent data for different years and different countries. I thought it might be interesting to look at how the industries receiving patents have changed over the last 30 years. The following graph breaks down the percent of US patents issued in one of three industrial categories in a single year.1
As expected, the number of patents granted in industries related to computers and electrical technology has increased rapidly, about 30% using our metric. More interesting is that the percentage of patents granted in biotechnology related industry has remained relatively stable. The increase in electrical patents was paired with an equally large decrease in a catch all of mechanical or general engineering related patents, although they still make up about 27% of total patents granted.
The explanation for this is fairly straightforward. The consumer electronic industry was ostensibly created after 1980, with personal computers and cellphones now being common goods. Alternatively, innovation in many general engineering related fields is sparser. The change to roads, cars, and can openers has been much less significant than the changes to computers in the last 30 years. Biotechnology related patents remain relatively constant, as one would expect. Pharmaceutical companies continue a slow and steady stream of new drugs, and chemical companies continue to improve and develop a slow steady stream of new chemicals.
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1Electrical includes: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy; Audio-visual technology; Telecommunications; Digital communication; Basic communication processes; Computer technology; IT methods for management; Semiconductors; Optics;
Biotechnology and Chemical includes: Measurement; Analysis of biological materials; Control; Medical technology; Organic fine chemistry; Biotechnology; Pharmaceuticals; Macromolecular chemistry, polymers; Food chemistry;
Mechanical and General Engineering/Other includes: Basic materials chemistry ; Materials, metallurgy; Surface technology, coating; Micro-structural and nano-technology; Chemical engineering; Environmental technology; Handling; Machine tools; Engines, pumps, turbines; Textile and paper machines; Other special machines; Thermal processes and apparatus; Mechanical elements; Transport; Furniture, games; Other consumer goods; Civil engineering;