Charles Holland Duell

Charles Holland Duell (1850–1922) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the Commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office from 1898 to 1901. He is often mistakenly associated with the myth that he predicted a decline in innovation, based on a misquoted remark. In reality, he was focused on improving patent processes and protecting inventors. Duell’s tenure aimed to modernize patent laws and foster technological development. His legacy is sometimes misunderstood due to the popular myth; he was a dedicated public servant involved in intellectual property issues during a period of rapid innovation.