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British-French Technology Transfer from the Revolution to Louis Philippe (1791–1844): Evidence from Patent Data

Author

Listed:
  • Nuvolari, Alessandro
  • Tortorici, Gaspare
  • Vasta, Michelangelo

Abstract

This paper examines the patterns of technology transfer from Britain to France during the early phases of industrializing using a dataset comprising all patents granted in France in the period 1791–1844. Exploiting the peculiarities of French legislation, we construct an array of patent quality indicators and investigate their determinants. We find that patents filed by British inventors or French inventors with personal connections to British inventors were of relatively higher quality. Overall, our results show that the French innovation system was capable of attracting and effectively absorbing key technologies from Britain.

Suggested Citation

  • Nuvolari, Alessandro & Tortorici, Gaspare & Vasta, Michelangelo, 2023. "British-French Technology Transfer from the Revolution to Louis Philippe (1791–1844): Evidence from Patent Data," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 83(3), pages 833-873, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:83:y:2023:i:3:p:833-873_6
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    Cited by:

    1. Bergeaud, Antonin & Verluise, Cyril, 2024. "A new dataset to study a century of innovation in Europe and in the US," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(1).
    2. Marco Martinez, 2025. "Technology transfer and domestic innovation: evidence from a new dataset of Italian inventors, 1855–1914," Cliometrica, Springer;Cliometric Society (Association Francaise de Cliométrie), vol. 19(2), pages 375-419, May.
    3. Youssouf Merouani & Faustine Perrin, 2023. "Myths and Biases: An Exploration of Women’s Historical Patenting Activities," Working Papers 09-23, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N73 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights

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