Inspirations and Milestones for a New Year: Patents, Telescopes & How About Yours!

Maybe your goal is to solidify ideas which rumble around your mind despite months or years dismissing the value or probability of monetizing. Is 2026 the year to act on those ideas? Or maybe you want to start viewing the stars.  This article addresses means to accomplish both or either.

Three-hundred and seventy years before the first U.S. Patent, Filippo Brunelleschi, an impressive Italian Renaissance artist, architect, and engineer. was granted a patent in 1421, by the Republic of Florence. It was for his for his barge to transport marble along the Arno River, sadly it sank on its first voyage on the river. Fifty years later, the Venetian Patent Statute of 1474 was established, which is recognized as the first formal patent law and which all of Europe then followed over time.

Protection of designs and inventions in the U.S. was also established by way of legislation, specifically HR 41, A Bill to Promote the Progress of the Useful Arts (the Patent Act), March 10, 1790 . The original Patent Board had three members: the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Attorney General. Wilson Gunn | 150 years - patents It should be noted, in light of Brunelleschi's mishap, to this date the U.S. Patent process does not require a working model!

BE INSPIRED! Applying for Patents | USPTO

Woodland Hills Camera is excited to announce that the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro is now open for preorder, with introductory savings priced at $549. The first shipments are expected to begin at the end of January.

The Seestar S30 Pro expands ZWO’s popular smart telescope lineup with a more advanced, astrophotography-focused design. It combines apochromatic optics, dual Sony imaging sensors, built-in narrowband filters, and RAW (FITS) support in a compact, highly portable system. Designed for both deep-sky and wide-field imaging, the S30 Pro offers greater flexibility for astrophotographers working from a wide range of observing conditions, including light-polluted locations.

A Quick Guide to the Seestar Lineup - Available at the end of January at Woodland Hills Camera - 5348 Topanga Canyon Blvd. #101,

Seestar S30
An ultra-portable, beginner-friendly smart telescope focused on simplicity and automation. Ideal for casual exploration, travel, and users new to astronomy.

Seestar S30 Pro
The most versatile and feature-rich Seestar to date. Dual-camera imaging, narrowband light pollution filters, equatorial mode support, and RAW data capture make it well suited for astrophotography, travel imaging, and advanced workflows.

Seestar S50
A larger-aperture option designed for deeper sky objects. Best for users who prioritize light-gathering capability and faint object detail over portability.

If you have questions about which Seestar model is the best fit for your observing or imaging goals, our team is happy to help by phone, email, or in store. We’re open Monday through Saturday.

 Buy Professional Astronomy Telescopes for Sale Online | Telescopes

Once a month, the Observatory partners with local telescope groups to share their telescopes and knowledge with the public. With dozens of telescopes on the lawn, there’s always something to see!  Star Parties - Griffith Observatory - Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos!

More News from Los Angeles

• Anniversary Series: Stagecoach Inn Celebrates 150 years January 10th! The Stagecoach Inn originally opened in 1876 as the Grand Union Hotel, the inn began as a stop for stagecoach travelers. The original structure was destroyed by fire in 1970.
• January 2026 US Patent Office Virtual Events Eleven virtual webinars, in January, are visible to those interested in the process of applying for a patent or trademark with the US Patent office.