United States patents are a source of historical information with many implications for science teaching. Using patents as science teaching devices has been largely ignored by science educators. Some of these devices can be easily modified for use in today's classrooms; in addition, patents serve as great examples of how our knowledge of science has increased at an ever increasing rate. Patents also provide interesting illustrations of the interaction of science, technology, and society. In the area of history of science and science teaching, patent records represent a valuable source of information. This document presents information about the United States patent process, doing a patent search, examining patent announcements and patents, and using patents in science teaching. This paper presents a table of famous patents including those of Morse, Goodyear, Gatling, Westinghouse, Pasteur, Edison, Eastman, Diesel, Ford, and Houdini. (PR)