The Selden Crisis

The Selden Crisis refers to a period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the U.S. government faced a financial threat linked to the Selden Patent, which covered automobile engine technology. Car manufacturers depended on licensing the patent, but legal disputes and the expiration of key patents led to uncertainty and potential legal costs. This challenged the emerging auto industry’s stability, prompting debates about patent laws, innovation, and fair competition. The crisis highlighted how patent disputes could impact economic growth and technological progress in growing industries.