A prototype is one of the first manufactured units of a product, which is tested so that any changes can be made to the design if necessary, before the actual commercial manufacture of the product. Before the year 1880, inventors had to present a prototype of their invention to the patent office when applying for the patent. This is not a requirement anymore, but prototypes are needed for other reasons.

A prototype helps you in figuring out any design flaws there may be in your invention, and also to find out if your invention really works. It is through the prototype that you find out if the invention is really the right size, shape and form. By making a prototype, you get prepared to write your patent application and also help in making your patent drawings. This is because the artist can best draw drawings of your invention while looking at it from different angles of the prototype. The best use of the prototype is that it helps you sell or license an invention, as it shows the actual working of the invention.

You can present your ideas best through prototypes, and also estimate the actual cost of manufacture of your invention through the prototype. While the first model may cost a bundle, you can appreciate the cost of manufacturing the item through the prototype. Testing a model is always more informative than all the imagination you can muster. And remember while making your presentation of your invention, having a model gives you a better chance of selling your rights to a company as the prototypes make the invention look real to the examiner. And if the question ever comes up, a prototype is a strong proof that you were the first inventor of the invention.