National Inventors Hall of Fame

Interactive kiosk for inventor information - 1, National Inventors Hall of Fame - USPTO building in Alexandria, Virginia

National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) is an American not-for-profit organization that recognizes individual inventors who hold a U.S. patent of significant technology that has contributed to the progress of science and the advancement of society. Established in 1973, the Hall of Fame honors the people responsible for the great technological advances that make human, social, and economic progress possible.

History

The National Inventors Hall of Fame was founded in 1973 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Council of Intellectual Property Law Association. The first induction ceremony took place in 1974, and since then, the Hall of Fame has continued to honor inventors annually. The NIHF also aims to foster creativity and innovation among future generations through its education programs and annual collegiate invention competition.

Location

Originally located in the USPTO's headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, the Hall of Fame moved to Akron, Ohio, in 1995. It is now housed in the Invent Now Museum and Store, where it continues to educate the public about the history of American inventors and their contributions to society.

Criteria for Induction

To be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, an individual must hold a U.S. patent for an invention that has contributed significantly to the nation's welfare and the advancement of science and technology. Candidates are nominated by the public, and their contributions are reviewed by a selection committee composed of national experts in science, technology, engineering, and patents.

Notable Inductees

The Hall of Fame includes inventors from various fields, such as Thomas Edison for the electric light bulb, Alexander Graham Bell for the telephone, and George Washington Carver for his work in agriculture. More recent inductees include Steve Wozniak for the development of the personal computer and Stephanie Kwolek for inventing Kevlar.

Education and Outreach

The National Inventors Hall of Fame is committed to inspiring the next generation of innovators through its education programs. These include Camp Invention, the Collegiate Inventors Competition, and the Invention Project, which offer hands-on learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for students from kindergarten through college.

See Also

• List of inventors
• United States Patent and Trademark Office
• Innovation
• Science and technology in the United States

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