Caterpillar Inventors Change the World

Caterpillar has a long history of innovation. For more than a century, our teams have been constantly creating, building, problem solving, testing and improving. We don’t develop or pursue technology for the sake of technology; we do it to help solve challenges for our customers.

Our engineers are continuously innovating and generating ideas. That’s why they file for patents — to protect their inventions and Intellectual Property (IP) — so we can remain competitive and provide the best solutions to help customers succeed.

Every two years, awards are presented to employees who have surpassed the 12, 20, 30, 40 and 50 patented invention milestones. These contribute to Caterpillar’s 14,500+ active and 6,400 pending patents. This year, more than 80 employees received awards.

Innovators who have passed the 12-patented invention mark for the first time received a custom glass sculpture on a Cat piston casting. Each one is handmade and unique, symbolic of the innovative nature of each patent. The glass knot has 12 ridges representing the patents to qualify for the award and the cast iron base, made at the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry, is produced with leftover iron from production runs and is a restricted part number within the Caterpillar parts system. Innovators with 20 or more patents received a framed patent ribbon copy of their first patent along with a letter from Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby.

Through developing new or improving existing products and technologies, our inventors continue to enable our customers to build a better, more sustainable world. We are proud of all they have accomplished.