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Found 37 Stories
A yellow comment card completed by an eight year old Spark Lab visitor. The card prompts the visitor to fill out responses to what they invented, what they learned, what they loved, and what they didn't like. This visitor invented a new kind of top, learned that when they spin something it stays up straight, they loved inventing it, and they didn't like all the work.
Blog

Evaluation in Spark!Lab

We iterate our process not just by doing the job, but also by improving how we do it each time.

The words Thanks for an amazingly inventive year! are visible on a projection screen.
Lemelson Center Research

2017 Lemelson Center Activities Report

The Lemelson Center had a remarkable 2017, with growth in research and education, and dynamic new public programming initiatives.

An engraving of the South Hall, Museum of Models, in the US Patent Office, 1887. Several well-dressed men and women and a young child admire the models in glass cases along the walls of a long room with high vaulted ceilings.
Blog

Patent Models and Prototypes on Display

To mark the issuance of the 10 millionth US Patent, we showcase ten nineteenth-century patent models and prototypes that are currently on display at the National Museum of American History.

Hannah Correlli, a young woman with short, dark hair and wearing jeans, a hoodie, and a yellow SparkLab apron, stands with her back to the camera, working on an articulated human cutout form in the “Create a Costume” activity in SparkLab.
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Hannah Correlli

Our staff’s newest addition brings fresh, relevant perspectives to the invention lab.

SparkLab facilitator Zach Etsch standing in SparkLab, wearing his yellow staff apron and a funny hat made from a propeller beanie and brightly-patterned paper cones over each ear.
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Zach Etsch

Our veteran Spark!Lab Lead Facilitator loves to educate, engage, and empower our museum visitors.

Close-up of Spark!Lab Lead Facilitator Nyssa Buning
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Nyssa Buning

Having been involved with Spark!Lab in several capacities, this Lead Facilitator continually strives to enhance the visitor experience.

Interpretive Exhibits Coordinator Tim Pula in his workshop, located inside Spark!Lab so visitors can watch him at work
Spark!Lab

Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Tim Pula

Infusing his projects with a passion for the invention process, Spark!Lab’s Interpretive Exhibit Coordinator develops clever and practical solutions.

A box of various connectors 3D printed by Spark!Lab's Tim Pula
Spark!Lab

The Great Connector Quest

With its high-volume visitation, Spark!Lab is always on the lookout for durable materials that complete our activities. Sometimes though, we have to invent them ourselves.

A stylized drawing of a compact fluorescent light bulb surrounded by a solid orange circle with a green border
Lemelson Center Research

Lemelson Center Research and Program Focus, 2016-2020

In coming years, we will continue research on the role of place in innovation and drivers for people to become inventors and innovators. We also will initiate research, exhibitions, educational activities, and public engagement work in the new areas of innovation in sports and the role of risk and failure in invention and innovation.

A case in the 1996 electric guitar exhibition
Places of Invention

Twenty Years of Exhibitions at the Lemelson Center

Having worked on Lemelson Center exhibitions for 20 years, I've learned a few things. What topic should we tackle next?

Spark!Lab

Full Color Sound

Can you hear color?

Sample card for McGill’s patent fasteners
Invention Stories

Fascinating Fasteners

Who knew the history of staples and paper clips could be so fraught?

Trade card, Skandia Plow Company, 1887. (AC0060-0000026-01) (front-apple)
Invention Stories

How 'Bout That Apple?

An anthropomorphic apple wearing slippers, printed in bright yellow, orange, and blue tones, promoted the iron lever harrow sold by Skandia Plow Company in the 1890s.

Invention Stories

Abracadabra!

Ajeeb, a ten-foot high, wax and papier-mâché mechanical wonder, won almost every game of chess and checkers it played.

Razor and shaving cream carried aboard the Apollo 11 mission by astronaut Michael Collins.
Invention Stories

Get that clean, baby-faced look: Razors at the Smithsonian

Whether participating in Movember or No Shave November or just being lazy with the razor, November is all about facial hair. Perhaps coincidentally, November hosts some razor-specific invention anniversaries.

1931 Popular Science Monthly article with the title Mechanical Monster Eats Girl on Movie Stage
Invention Stories

Extraordinary Attractions! Be Amazed! Must See!

Founded in 1916, the dynamic and creative duo of George H. Messmore and Joseph Damon designed and constructed window display, parade floats, and more, often featuring animated mechanical devices.

Legendary vibraphone virtuoso and bandleader Lionel Hampton graces the 2013 Jazz Appreciation Month poster.
Research Opportunities

Perks of the Job: Up Close and Personal with the Jazz Collections

April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), and we do it in style here at the National Museum of American History, with a full schedule of donation ceremonies by jazz legends, talks on jazz history, and several live performances.

Invention Stories

Building Bridges, Building Collections

Bridges are engineering marvels and each bridge tells a story—its successes and failures. Many of those stories can be found in our Archives Center.

Visitors test an interactive for the Hartford case study in Places of Invention
Places of Invention

Inventing an Exhibition, Part 2 (of 4)

The latest step in the process of inventing an exhibition—"Try It," aka prototyping with our visitors.

Archival photo of boys at their desks, 1911.
Invention Stories

Timeless and Enduring Skills

The need for a skilled and educated work force is a frequent topic in current discussions about revitalizing the economy. This is not a new concern.

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