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Behind every invention, there is a story. Discover those stories here.

 

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A boy about 11 years old manipulates a robotic hand that he built in SparkLab. He is grasping a bottle with the oversized hand.
Blog

What Does Success Look Like in Spark!Lab?

People do such impressive things in our exhibition every day—here are some anecdotes and impressions from a Facilitator.

9 figures from US Patent 50,359, awarded to John Wesley Hyatt, Jr., in 1865. Figures 1 through 7 and 9 are circular, detailing different parts of the composition of the ball. Figure 8 shows the plug that runs through the core of the ball.
Blog

Imitation Ivory and the Power of Play

How nineteenth-century Americans' love of billiards paved the way for synthetic plastics . . .

Advertising image showing inventor Garthen Leslie holding the Aros air conditioner that he invented. He stands against a backdrop of blueprint-type sketches for the air conditioner. A cut-out of a polar bear wearing a red scarf is at his feet.
Blog

A Cool Story About A/C Inventor Garthen Leslie

Working with Quirky and GE, Garthen Leslie invented the Aros smart air conditioner.

Cropped studio portrait photo of Lewis Howard Latimer, 1882.
Blog

Lost Histories of African American Inventors

In a book written especially for kids, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shares fascinating stories you probably don't know about 16 historical and contemporary African American inventors.

Screenshot of pins on Places of Invention interactive map
Places of Invention

Explore the Places of Invention Interactive Map

Have you ever wondered where LEGO was invented? How about the electric guitar? Or penicillin? Or the Mars rover? Find these stories and more on our interactive map. And add your own story about a place of invention, too!

4 detailed ink drawings on facing pages of a gridded notebook. Left: 3 drawings are labeled Old Style Intermittent Kiln, Fort Warren Mortar Mill, and Steam Mortar Mill Used at Fort Taylor by Brevet-major J. Sanders. Right: Hoffmans Annular Kiln.
Blog

Communicating with Sketches

Sketching is an essential part of the invention process.

An array of parts from which a creature can be made; includes blue polyester fur, hinged aluminum rods, miscellaneous Lego bits and 3D-printed parts, and small balls made into eyes.
Blog

Blue Fur, Aluminum, 3D-Printed Parts, and Some Legos

Prototyping an easy method for creating Muppet-like characters in Spark!Lab

Informal portrait photo of Aimi Hamraie holding her book Building Access.
Blog

Kudos to Our Alumni Fellows

We proudly celebrate the recent accomplishments of our Lemelson Center Fellowship alumni.

A very crowded overview of Spark!Lab, taken from the rear of the room and looking towards the entrance. This photo was taken on opening day, July 1, 2015, and visitors are wearing the propeller beanies that they received as gifts from the museum.
Blog

What Does Happiness Look Like in Spark!Lab?

A reflection on visitor types and needs, and why this room is so much fun.

Red maple leaf design from the Canadian flag.
Blog

O Canada! Inventors from Across the Border

Inspired by visitor stories submitted to our Places of Invention map about Canadian inventors and inventions

Miles Barr, smiling at camera and holding out a small flexible solar panel that he invented.
Blog

Where Are They Now?

An update on some of Spark!Lab’s featured young inventors.

Detail of a photo of Elaine Ostroff, on left, with two other women, looking at a model of a play space. The words Play Room are on the door behind Ostroff.
Blog

Creating and Shaping Learning Environments

“It can happen anywhere—a learning environment can happen anywhere.” (Elaine Ostroff, Wheaton College interview, undated)

The second iteration of the target with a solar panel in place of the photoresistor
Blog

Production Model Laser Maze

If it works so well, why redesign it?

A young girl in traditional Hungarian dress looks at the camera over her shoulder while Charles Eisler at a podium introduces General Herbert Hargreaves during Eisler ambulance donation ceremony, Newark, New Jersey, 1943
Blog

Immigrant Inventors Giving Back

In the wake of war and revolution, Leo Baekeland and Charles Eisler served their communities.

A handwritten recipe for puffed rice cakes and crisps, by Alexander Anderson, 1904
Blog

Alexander Anderson and the Cereal Shot from Guns

How one inventor’s explosive discovery made a lasting impact on breakfast.

Official portrait of NASA astronaut Ellen Ochoa in her flight suit, 12 February 2002
Blog

Highlighting Hispanic Inventors and Innovators

A few stories of often overlooked inventors and innovators in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

Woman staff member from the US Diplomacy Center stands next to a sign that reads: We need your input!
Blog

Professional Prototyping

Bringing an inventive mindset to museum exhibitions!

Figure 3 of Sholes US Patent 207,559 (1878) shows the now-standard QWERTY keyboard layout.
Blog

Was the Patent Application for the Typewriter Handwritten?

On the challenges of introducing new technology

Frances Gabe pointing to model of her self-cleaning house, 1979
Blog

You Don’t Have Time to Clean Your House—Now What?

Frances Gabe called cleaning a “thankless, unending job, a nerve-twangling bore.” She set out to change that.

Logo for Military Invention Day showing a stylized head in profile with simple drawings of gears and many inventions trailing from the back of the head
Beyond Words

Military Invention Day 2017 Highlights

Missed Military Invention Day 2017? Here are some highlights from this great festival—mark your calendars for 2018!

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VIEW 2265 Matching Results

Found 2265 Stories

  • Agriculture and horticulture (Relevance: 5.0772626931567%)
  • Air and space (Relevance: 7.2847682119205%)
  • Chemistry (Relevance: 3.046357615894%)
  • Food and drink (Relevance: 2.9139072847682%)
  • Industry and manufacturing (Relevance: 7.2847682119205%)
  • Maritime (Relevance: 3.1346578366446%)
  • Medicine, health, and life sciences (Relevance: 4.3708609271523%)
  • Military technology (Relevance: 3.6203090507726%)
  • Mining and drilling (Relevance: 3.5761589403974%)
  • Patents and trademarks (Relevance: 11.743929359823%)
  • Photography, film, television, and video (Relevance: 3.2671081677704%)
  • Power generation, motors, and engines (Relevance: 3.6644591611479%)
  • Research and development (Relevance: 3.0905077262693%)
  • Telegraph, telephone, and telecommunications (Relevance: 3.4437086092715%)
  • Textiles and clothing (Relevance: 2.8256070640177%)
  • Transportation (Relevance: 6.0927152317881%)
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