necessary, to secure special protection on particular improvements or
the improved invention as a whole. The early filing of an application
may turn out to be important in securing to the inventor his right of
priority. When the inventor comes to exhibit his invention, with the
idea of bringing it to the attention of the public in general, there is
no question that he should then have his invention in the best form he
can, and in as attractive shape as possible.

[Sidenote: To Avoid being "Squeezed."]

The patentee who proposes to realize from his invention should never let
it be known that he is in want; of course, in some cases he cannot help
himself, but he should endeavor to obtain the necessary assistance from
his acquaintances, and under no circumstances let those with whom he is
trying to deal get an insight into his financial condition, as
capitalists and others will very often take the advantage of an inventor
when known to be in straitened circumstances, and the patentee probably
would not realize as much from his patent as he otherwise could.
Therefore, it is advisable in all cases for the patentee to manifest no
impatience, remain silent as to his financial condition, and strive to
impress those with whom he is dealing that he is in no condition to be
"squeezed."

[Sidenote: Value of Record of Invention.]

Inventors, while working on a complicated machine, should not overlook
the value and importance of keeping a record of the progress of the
development, illustrating it with sketches, signing and dating them with
each new addition, and, when practical, having it witnessed by one or
more persons. This plan is preferred by many inventors to filing a
caveat. Such a record will be found very valuable in case of an
infringement, as it enables the inventor to ascertain the various steps
of his invention, and is a sort of evidence that cannot be impeached.
Such a record of a complicated invention, when the inventor has put much
time and study upon the subject in perfecting it, will also be found
valuable in effecting sales, and in fixing the price of the patent.

[Sidenote: Prejudice against Patents.]

It cannot be denied that at the present time there seems to be in many
sections of the country a strong prejudice against patents, which
sometimes makes it difficult to get people sufficiently interested to
take hold of any patent; especially is this true when the patentee
endeavors to sell his patent pieceme