As students across the UK sharpen pencils and zip up backpacks, it’s a great time to celebrate the creativity and curiosity that fuels innovation, even in the youngest minds. At the Intellectual Property Office, we know that intellectual property (IP) isn’t just for seasoned inventors and entrepreneurs - it’s for anyone with a bright idea. And sometimes, those ideas come from children who haven’t even finished primary school!
Here are some inspiring young inventors who didn’t just dream big - they protected their ideas through IP.
Sam Houghton – the Improved Broom
At just five years old, Sam Houghton became a patent holder with his invention: the Improved Broom. It featured two broom heads joined by a rubber band, allowing it to sweep up both large and small debris more efficiently.
Sam’s idea came to life when he was just three, watching his dad clean the garden. With a little help from his father, who happened to be a patent attorney, Sam’s invention was filed and granted a patent. His story became a cornerstone of our Cracking Ideas campaign, showing how even very young children can have ideas can be worth protecting.
You can read more about Sam in this BBC article
Xanthippe Barnes – RoboSno
When eight-year-old Xanthippe Barnes took part in a school design challenge, she didn’t just build a model - she created a fully imagined snow-clearing robot called RoboSno. It featured a kettle to melt snow, machine learning to navigate, and even a boot to kick obstacles out of the way.
Her invention was so compelling that her father (also a patent attorney) helped her file a patent application and register a trademark for the name. Xanthippe proved that school projects can be the launchpad for real-world innovation.
“She told her teacher that she couldn’t hand in her homework because it was patent pending and, unsurprisingly, the teacher didn’t believe her. She had to hand in her patent application number to convince them.”
-Xanthippe's mum
You can read more about Xanthippe on this blog from the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
Soren Plante – Guinness World Record holder
Across the pond in Utah, USA, Soren Plante holds the Guinness World Record as the youngest active patent holder, receiving his patent at just 5 years and 190 days old. His invention? A gardening robot that’s not only electro-mechanical but also commercially viable.
The invention describes a digging machine with a hollow body, odd-shaped wheels, and independent motors powering each wheel. These wheels feature digging members, making the machine suitable for tasks like gardening or excavation.
Soren’s story is a testament to how curiosity, play, and a little technical know-how can lead to serious innovation - even before starting primary school.
Max Palfrey - Dragons' Den hopeful
Another young inventor, 11 year old Max, was granted a patent for a garment with a built-in fidget device sewn into the seam (similar to bubble wrap toys).
The invention was aimed at neurodiverse people as it would allow them to discreetly engage in stimming activities (repetitive physical movements, sounds or actions that help individuals self-regulate emotions and process sensory input), without drawing attention to themselves.
“Max came and told us his idea, and we thought it was amazing, but surely it must already exist. We did a thorough search, and we couldn’t find anything, so we began the patent process straight away."
-Max's Dad, Matt
You can read more about his invention and his Dragons' Den adventure in this blog, and can subscribe to our Dragons' Den blog channel for more IP insights into future episodes.
Inspiring creativity through partnership
Our commitment to nurturing young innovators extends through exciting collaborations that bring IP education to life. Building on the tremendous success of our previous campaigns with Aardman, or our recent and current campaign with Taskmaster Education, these collaborations have been a remarkable achievement in making intellectual property accessible and engaging for students across the UK, including resources for IP in education.
These partnerships demonstrate our unwavering belief that inspiring the next generation starts with young minds and our enthusiasm for fostering creativity knows no bounds. Through innovative educational approaches, we continue to show children that their ideas really do have value and can shape the world around them.
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