There are many, many, many patents related to internal combustion engines,
—There are many, many, many patents related to internal combustion engines,—
Yes. that is why my comment was generic. I am a very black and white thinker. I brought it up in the context of the Wright brothers trying to patent flying, while fully aware that a typical aircraft has a heck of a lot of patents.
If Henry Ford had thought like Steve Jobs, the first competitors car that used four wheels would have been sued for using the same number of wheels as a Ford.
I believe that patent law is what has allowed western culture to flourish, but sometimes it does get silly when applied beyond its purpose.