Although the United Kingdom is revered by Japan as the most innovative nation in the world (over 55% of all the innovative thought emanates from the U.K. - MITI). Britain has declined substantially in patenting its inventions and theories, whilst other nations have benefited greatly from the U.K.'s research efforts. Analysing the 1,000 fastest growing sub-classes in U.S. patents between 1965 and 1971, chemical patents in the U.S.A. declined by 5.78%. Likewise in the same period electrical patents declined by 7.65%, and patents mainly medical declined also by 64.06%. If we look at periods 1971-1976, 1977-1982 & 1983-1988 we find further declines except for chemical patents in period 1971-1976.
Rate of Change - Time Period on Time Period
'71 - '76 | '77 - '82 | '83 - '88 | Type of Patent |
+82.18 | -22.84 | -44.80 | Chemical |
-6.08 | -52.88 | -19.55 | Electrical |
-7.15 | -16.93 | -40.69 | Mechanical |
-8.66 | -147.37 | -27.78 | Transport |
- | -64.06 | -60.14 | other Mainly Medical |