As the state’s only patent librarian, Walt Johnson helps would- be Thomas Edisons at the Minneapolis Central Public Library to search patents for similar inventions. Johnson, an Augsburg College and University of Wisconsin graduate who’s worked full-time at the library since 1994, teaches two classes a month at the library: the first Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the second Saturday, 10 a..m. to 11 a.m. You can reach him at 612-630-6101 or wjohnson@hclib.org.

Did you ever want to be an inventor?

I had a couple of ideas along the way (glow in the dark TV remote control, cast kick stand) but I don’t have the patience and perseverance to do my own search because one, it’s very time consuming and it can be very expensive too. Some people say getting a patent is the easy part of it. It’s the marketing and manufacturing that can be really tough.

What do patents say about us?

You can trace the development of the country by the patents. Initially, they were all very agriculture because that’s what was the main industry in the country. Then you see automobiles starting to take off, it kind of moved from agriculture to mechanical type things. And now of course, it’s all electronic. A lot of chemical related things too. You can see how technology changed the country over the years.

Who are typical inventors?

I can’t say there is one. It’s a real variety. Most people just have their regular day jobs too but have something in the back of their minds that they want to check out…a solution to an every day problem or concern. The shopping cart was patented in the 1920s and to me that seems like such an obvious thing. But when it first came out, grocery stores had to hire people to push the carts so that other people would start to get the idea. It’s a simple idea but it’s something we use every day now that we take for granted.

What’s the most common misunderstanding people have about patents?

I think some people might get inspired and think I’m going to go out and a get a patent and get a million dollars and I try to gently let them know that generally that’s not how it works.

Do you ever come across some wacky ideas?

I get that question a lot. It’s pretty much everyday items. Some general things like a juice box holder for an automobile. I haven’t had anyone come up with a time and space machine. They are pretty down to earth solid things. It can be very simple and straightforward. I did have someone call once and she wouldn’t say what it was but she claimed it would bring about world peace.

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