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Found 70 Stories
Rectangular black-and-beige plastic box with keypad on right and register tape on left.
Blog

When Technology Disrupts the Vibe

Growing pains in the digital age from the not-so-distant past . . .

Places of Invention

Invention of Lock & Lock

Lock & Lock was invented in Seoul. It's used worldwide now.

Block print in black and white, showing stylized tree, river, house, sun, and clouds
Beyond Words

Inventing Green: Inventor Profiles

Contemporary inventors in diverse fields are committed to "inventing green." Here are a few of their stories . . .

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.

George Foreman Grill with lid open, about 1995
Blog

Who Invented the George Foreman Grill?

No, it’s not a trick question. Learn about Michael W. Boehm and the invention story behind the famous infomercial product.

Lithographed color coffee labels by Price Bros. and Co.
Blog

Coffee in an Instant

Made in the cup at the table—instant coffee and one inventor's research

Tappan Model RL-1 microwave oven
Blog

The Devil Is in the Details: Researching an Inventor’s Biography

The quest to confirm biographical details about the life and work of Percy Spencer

Vending machine potato chip options.
Invention Stories

Potato Chip Inventions

Today they come in all flavors—salt and vinegar to prawn and ham. Here's the story behind the potato chip.

A moka pot.
Invention Stories

The Elusive Perfectly Roasted Cup

The proliferation of specialty coffee shops has fundamentally changed how the world consumes coffee. But can there really ever be a perfect cup of coffee?

Stock photo of tomatoes
Places of Invention

Inventing the Modern Organic Farm

Without Eliot Coleman's innovations, the White House probably wouldn’t be growing greens in December.

Stock photo of ice cream sundae
Places of Invention

Disputed Culinary Invention Locations

There is intense community pride in inventing a culinary dish, especially if it becomes iconic for a country.

Lemelson Lightbulb Graphic Identity
Invention Stories

Starting the Day Right: Coffee Innovations

While I can’t remember the first great cup of coffee that I ever had, I can certainly remember the last.  It was brewed here in our offices earlier this week with freshly ground coffee beans, the perfect amount of cream & sugar, and a strong caffeine kick that cleared my early morning brain f

Archival photo of an early cup holder
Invention Stories

I’ll Take That Drink To Go!

Today we take cup holders in vehicles for granted, but this indispensable feature wasn’t common in the early 1960s.

Fresh Paper inventor Kavita Shukla
Invention Stories

Try It: Fresh Paper

A young woman's concern for food waste lead to a remarkable invention.

Steven Gdula
Beyond Words

Podcast: Steven Gdula Speaks about an Invention "Hot Spot" - Your Kitchen!

Invention in the warmest room in the house--the kitchen!

Pencil sketch of a flexible drinking straw.
Invention Stories

The Straight Truth About the Flexible Drinking Straw

Joseph Friedman didn't invent the straw, he just made it better.

MIND database logo for non-Smithsonian archival materials
Archives

George H. Mahon Papers, 1887-1986

Inventor Name Mahon, George H.

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

S. Morris Lillie Records, 1893-1964

Inventor Name Lillie, S. Morris

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Peter Schlumbohm Papers, 1922-1979 (bulk, 1939-1956)

Inventor Name Schlumbohm, Peter

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Marc Harrison Papers, 1928-1996

Inventor Name Harrison, Marc

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