Preservation of Cultural Heritage

One part of the Austrian Patent Office’s responsibility is to preserve patent history. For this purpose, the Patent Office has started an initiative for the digitalisation of historical data records. Historical material is secured for posterity in the so-called “Privileges Database”, however at the same time also made easier accessible for current research. “Privileges” are the predecessors of patents (1852-1899) and thus historical documents of the history of technology and the invention sector. In order to preserve this unique cultural heritage and make the documentation on Austria’s history of technology in the 2nd half of the nineteenth century available to the general public, we have initiated this digitalisation process. In total, it is being planned to scan around 900,000 pages and integrate these in the Privileges Database. This way, they are stored on modern data carriers and can be found as well as are available at any time. In addition, the original copies are stored in archive-resistant envelopes. The overall period of this project by the Patent Office is planned to last for several years.