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Found 63 Stories
Detail of Figure 1, US Patent 1,242,872, showing entrance signage
Blog

One-Way Supermarket Aisles

The return of an invention from the 1910s.

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 . . .

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.

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

Photograph of morel mushrooms
Invention Stories

Fungi in Focus

Do recent innovations using mushrooms have the promise to save the world?

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.

Charlotte Cramer Sachs
Invention Stories

Charlotte Cramer Sachs

Charlotte Cramer Sachs invented many things throughout her life, including instant mixes for muffins, frostings, puddings, and breads.

Color woodcut of a turkey in profile, with a farmer sharpening his knife in the background
Invention Stories

Innovating New Traditions

A look at the tech behind some popular Thanksgiving traditions.

Color woodcut of a turkey in profile, with a farmer sharpening his knife in the background
Invention Stories

Innovating to Avoid Turkey Trauma

About 30 million turkeys are sold each year with built-in pop-up timers designed to tell cooks when the bird has reached that magic temperature. Here's the story behind the pop-up timer's inventor.

Martha Stewart and Mario Batali in 2007
Invention Stories

Innovations in "FOOD"

The kitchen is definitely a place of invention. Here are five invention stories from our food exhibition, "FOOD: Transforming the American Table, 1950 – 2000."

A pair of high-tech cooking spoons.
Invention Stories

Just Like Mom's: Will an Invention Finally Reveal her Secret Ingredient?

Will a new gadget finally let me recreate my favorite dish? Or is the secret ingredient really "love"?

Eskimo Pie box.
Invention Stories

Beat the Heat with a Cool Treat

One of the more fun ways to cool down is by enjoying a cold treat. Here are three frozen treats (and their invention stories) to beat the heat.

Pencil sketch of a flexible drinking straw.
Invention Stories

An Inventive Dad

This is the story of Joseph B. Friedman and the product—ubiquitous to you and me—that his daughter inspired him to invent.

Lemelson Lightbulb Graphic Identity
Invention Stories

Hunting and Gathering for the Museum's Collections

When it comes to food-related collections at the National Museum of American History, it's a veritable feast.

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

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

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

St. Lawrence Starch Company Patent and Trademark Files, 1897-1987

Inventor Name Unknown Repository Archives of Ontario77 Grenville Street, Unit 300Toronto, ONM5S 1B3Canada416-327-16001-800-668-9933 (Toll-free number-Ontario only)www.archives.gov.on.ca

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