About Military Invention Day 2019
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
On Saturday May 18, the Smithsonian, in collaboration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), will showcase displays of today’s leading-edge military inventions at the third annual Military Invention Day. This daylong event demonstrates the crucial role of invention for the United States, explores technology transfer and entrepreneurship for military technology, and gives visitors an opportunity to interact with diverse scientists, engineers, and inventors.
Event Details
Date
Saturday, May 18
Time
10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location
National Museum of American History
Constitution Ave. between 12th and 14th Streets NW
Directions
Tickets
Free; no tickets required
Easy Sharing
Shortened link
https://s.si.edu/2Xidzgl
Regular link
https://invention.si.edu/military-invention-day-2019
Hashtags
#MilitaryInventionDay
#WhatWillYouInvent
Air Force
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
- Aerospace Analysis and Design in Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Aircraft Tire Changing Tool
- High Noise Stethoscope Technology for Aeromedical Evacuation
- Laser Weapon Beam Control
- Next Generation GPS Technology
- Portable Door Locks

The laser weapon beam control keeps a target fixed by accounting for optical aberrations, mechanical vibration, and other fluctuations while moving. Courtesy of Air Force Research Laboratory
Army
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
- Augmented Reality (Army Futures Command – Combat Capabilities Development Command)
- Evolution of Night Vision
- Human-Agent Teaming (Army Futures Command – Army Research Laboratory)
- Imaging with PUMA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Army Futures Command – Combat Capabilities Development Command)
- Immersive Conquest of Darkness Experience (Army Futures Command – Combat Capabilities Development Command)
- Innovations in Cold Region Science and Technology (Army Corps of Engineers)
- Meet the Mosquito Wranglers: Protecting Soldiers and the Public from Malaria (Army Medical Research and Materiel Command)
- Remote Networked Sensors and Deep Purple Drone (Army Futures Command – Chemical & Biological Center)
- Thermal Weapon Sights & Evolution of Night Vision Technology (Army Futures Command – Combat Capabilities Development Command)
- Unmanned Aerial System Flight Simulator (Army Futures Command – Army Research Laboratory)
- Zeus Power Inverter (Army Futures Command – Ground Vehicle Systems Center)

3D terrain map viewable through the Hololens. US Army Corps of Engineers

The Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate showcases advanced thermal night vision gear. Courtesy of US Army

The Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate showcases advanced thermal night vision gear. Courtesy of US Army
Coast Guard
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
- Fixed Wing Deployable Drop Kit
- Innovations with Cubesats
- Maritime Object Tracker Technology

The Coast Guard Search And Rescue Transponder (SART) is part of the Fixed Wing Deployable Drop Kit and will enable more accurate tracking of people or contraband in the oceans. Courtesy of US Coast Guard
DARPA
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA):
- Deepfake Image Detection Media Forensics: detecting manipulated images and videos
- Reconfigurable Wheel-Track

The reconfigurable wheel track can shift its shape even while in motion. Courtesy of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Department of Defense
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
DoD Defense Laboratory Office
- Technology Transfer
Department of Energy
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
- Micropower Impulse Radar (National Nuclear Security Administration)
- Virtual Baffle System Suppressor (U.S. Special Operations Command)

The Virtual Baffle System Suppressor is a breakthrough design change from all prior weapon suppressors. Courtesy of Department of Energy
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
- 3D imaging using Laser Radar

3D map of Boston produced by MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Ladar System. Courtesy of MIT Lincoln Laboratory
National Museum of American History
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
- Invent a Laser Maze
- Military History Artifacts and Archives
- Write a Letter to the Troops

Laser maze in action. © Smithsonian Institution; photo by Tim Pula
Naval Research Laboratory
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
- Energy from Seawater
- Fiber Optic Hydrophone Technology
- GelMan Surrogates for Armor Design and Injury Assessment
- Lasers and Plasma Physics
- Wrasse-inspired Agile Near-shore Deformable-fin Automaton

The Wrasse-inspired Agile Near-shore Deformable-fin Automaton (WANDA) is a breakthrough autonomous underwater vehicle that draws inspiration from fish for its propulsion. Courtesy of US Naval Research Lab
Naval Surface Warfare Center
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
- Combat Diver Navigation Module (Naval Surface Warfare Center)
- Diver Augmented Vision Display
- LED Air Warning System
- Nanoparticle identification

The Combat Diver Navigation Module system provides crucial information to divers in environments where it can be hard to see. Courtesy of Naval Surface Warface Center

The Combat Diver Navigation Module system provides crucial information to divers in environments where it can be hard to see. Courtesy of Naval Surface Warface Center
USPTO
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Come see and interact with these displays:
- Frequency Hopping – The Way of the Wave
- Patent and Trademark information

Hedy Lamarr was a pioneer of secure communications during World War II. Courtesy of United States Patent and Trademark Office
Stage Program
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
First Floor, West Wing, Coulter Plaza
12:00 p.m.
Welcome and Introductions
- Arthur Daemmrich, Director, Smithsonian Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
Opening Keynotes
- Laura Peter, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
- Admiral John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy
1:00 p.m.
Family-friendly STEM Demonstration by the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s “Science Squad”
2:00 p.m.
Quiz Show: Military Technology in Your Daily Life
- Introduction: Current and Future Army Technology
- Major General Cedric T. Wins, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
- Participate in a live history quiz show and win prizes!
- Command Sergeant Major Jon R. Stanley, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
- Miranda Summers Lowe, Curator of Armed Forces History, National Museum of American History
3:00 p.m.Technology Startup Pitches
- Introduction:
- Dr. Joseph Mait, Chief Scientist (retired) U.S. Army Research Laboratory
- Hear pitches by entrepreneurs currently starting new businesses based on military technology. Learn about the leading edge of technology and get inspired. Presenters also will answer questions from the audience. Our military entrepreneur “shark tank” will feature:
- Microsphere Material Solutions: advanced materials for underwater vehicles
- Digital Brain: traumatic brain injury diagnostics
- FOAM: rapid construction of structures and vehicles
FAQ
Inventions for the Armed Forces, Innovations for Society—see, touch, and learn about technologies of the future!
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Military Invention Day held?
- In 2019, this special program will be held on Saturday, May 18 at the National Museum of American History. Displays and stage programming will be in the 1stFloor, West Wing (the “Innovation Wing").
What is Military Invention Day?
- A showcase, a celebration, and an educational program. Museum visitors interact with scientists, engineers, and other military personnel; see new technologies firsthand that will impact warfighting and civilian life in the future; and get inspired to pursue STEM careers.
- The day features 30+ displays and hands-on activities, and talks and demonstrations on stage.
How can I participate?
- To host a display, work with your R&D leadership, or contact Arthur Daemmrich, Director, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, daemmricha@si.edu
What does it cost to attend?
- For display organizations, there is no fee to participate, but you are solely responsible for bringing your display to the museum and staffing it for the day.
- For the public, the event is free and open to all. Come to the National Museum of American History on May 18!
Are there sponsorship opportunities?
- Yes! Contact Arthur Daemmrich, Director, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, daemmricha@si.edu