Did Edison patent the first light bulb? The answer is NO!
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Elzaburu virtual museum
To mark our recent 160th anniversary, we wanted to share part of the legacy we have had the privilege of being a part of for more than a century and a half. This virtual museum brings together a selection of inventions, brands, designs, and creations that reflect the evolution of innovation, creativity, and technology from 1865 to the present day. A journey through some of the ideas that have changed the world and the importance of protecting them so they can grow, generate value, and transform society.
Room 01
Electricity: The Spark of Innovation.
A fascinating journey through the history of electricity: from inventions and key figures such as Edison and Westinghouse to milestones such as the War of the Currents and the emergence of the first renewable energy sources
Thomas Alva Edison vs. Joseph Wilson Swan
Was he really the inventor of the light bulb? The story is more complicated than it seems.
The War of the Currents
When Edison and Tesla were at the center of one of the greatest technological rivalries in history.
The First Renewable Energy Sources
Solar, wind, and wave energy were already inspiring inventors and leading to patents by the end of the 19th century.
Brands of the Era and Their Reflection in Advertising
Companies such as Siemens and Westinghouse used advertising to win the trust of consumers.
Room 02
Pharmaceuticals: From elixirs to patented drugs.
Delve into the evolution of the industry: from miracle cures marketed as “Patent Medicines” to the first research-based pharmaceutical patents and how they were reflected in advertising.
Patent Medicines: From Miracle Cures to Life-Saving Drugs
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Patented Medicines
The pharmaceutical industry emerged amid elixirs, brands, and formulas whose effectiveness was far from proven.
The Origins of Aspirin
One of the first patents on salicylic acid paved the way for the most famous drug of the 20th century.
The Rise of Big Pharma
Behind companies like Bayer, Pfizer, and GSK lie more than a hundred years of innovation, mergers, and business transformation.
Pharmaceutical Brands and Advertising
Consumer confidence was also built through brands, advertisements, and anti-counterfeiting strategies.
Room 03
Photography and film, capturing
history.
Discover the evolution of photography and cinema: from the earliest printing processes and color images to the invention of the cinematograph, the challenges of sound and color, and the exploitation and protection of works.
From the First Color Image to the Movies
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From Black and White to Color
The quest for more realistic images drove some of the most important innovations in photography.
The Power of Copyright
Books, comics, and movies gave rise to complex ecosystems of licenses, brands, and exploitation rights.
Juan de la Cierva Hoces and the First Spanish Oscar
His invention for stabilizing cameras and his more than 50 patents revolutionized the international film industry.
When the images began to move
The motion picture opened the door to a new way of telling stories that changed the world forever.
Room 04
Sports. Beyond Competition.
A look at the evolution of sports and its role as one of the most sophisticated industries in the management of intangible assets and their exploitation beyond competition.
Eugen Sandow, the Father of Bodybuilding
Long before modern fitness, he turned physical training into a global industry.
The world's most powerful Olympic brand
The five rings conceal one of the most sophisticated brand protection strategies in history.
The Rise of Personal Branding in Sports
From Muhammad Ali to Usain Bolt: How Personal Identity Became an Extremely Valuable Commercial Asset.
When Sports Become a Business
The emergence of sponsorships, licensing, and image rights changed the sports industry forever.
Room 05
IP agents, the guardians
of innovation.
These pioneers, who began their careers as sales representatives, engineers, or lawyers, went on to become key figures in the protection of inventions, trademarks, and designs.
The Origins and Evolution of the Role of Industrial Property Agents
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From Sales Representatives to Innovation Specialists
The profession was created to connect inventors, companies, and markets in the midst of the Industrial Revolution.
The Power of International Networks
Partnerships among stakeholders were key to building the first global protection systems.
A profession that helped build the system
His invention for stabilizing cameras and his more than 50 patents revolutionized the international film industry.
The EUIPO's Arrival in Spain
The selection of Alicante as the headquarters of the European Union Intellectual Property Office reinforced Spain's role as an international leader in industrial property.
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