Patent and Trademark Resource Centers are excellent places to conduct research on historically significant patents, trademarks, inventions and inventors. PTRC librarians specialize in tracking down materials of this nature. Fogler Library, in which the Orono PTRC is located, has many books and other materials intended to assist historians and genealogists in finding very old patents, trademarks, and related information.
In addition, the Patent and Trademark Resource Center Association website has a listing of websites, databases, spreadsheets, and other tools specifically for conducting research of a historical nature.
Below are some of the materials you can find at Fogler Library.
Biographical Dictionary of the History of Technology by 
A century of innovation : twenty engineering achievements that transformed our lives by 
Historical First Patents: the first United States patent for many everyday things by 
Inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame
The innovators: the engineering pioneers who made America modern by Inventing Modern America : from the microwave to the mouse by 
The Patent Office Pony by Subject-Matter Index of Patents for Inventions Issued by the United States Patent Office from 1790 to 1873, Inclusive by 
The Patents of Summer!
This is a fun video slide show of patents related to summer activities, including swimsuits, sandals, toys and games.
