Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors (Tomlin Commission): Records

T 173

1909-1937

The two main series from the post First World War Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors are the claims files of individual inventors, and the transcripts of evidence heard at the inquiries into claims, both arranged alphabetically by claimants' names.

The following piece numbers are not used: 35-71, 132, 322

Arranged alphabetically

Public Record(s)

English

830 file(s)

The terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors ( theTomlin Commission), appointed in March 1919, embraced consideration of all inventions used by the Government in the prosecution of the 1914-18 War. These inventions can be broadly divided into two groups, patented and unpatented. Where an invention had been patented the inventor was legally protected. Although he or she could not control the use of his or her invention by the Government, or prevent the use of it at all, as was possible with private users, he or she was entitled to negotiate an equitable payment. The inventor of an unpatented device was not entitled by right to any payment for its use, but relied on the bounty of the Crown, exercised on the recommendation of the commission.

The commission was wound up in October 1937.