Patent Office in Washington, from the General Government and State Capitol Buildings series (N14) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

"Patent Office in Washington" is a chromolithograph, part of the "General Government and State Capitol Buildings" series (N14), created by Allen & Ginter for cigarette brands. These cards were immensely popular at the turn of the 20th century. They coincided with a period of rapid industrialization and innovation and reflect the national pride in American ingenuity and progress. The Patent Office itself stood as a symbol of these values, promising legal protection for new inventions. Yet, this image also hides a more complex history. The economic boom that fueled industrial growth was deeply entwined with racial inequality. Many inventions were conceived and patented using resources and labor extracted from marginalized communities. The Patent Office, therefore, represents both the achievements and the inherent contradictions of this era, masking social exploitation with the veneer of progress. It prompts us to consider who benefited from these inventions and at what cost?