Nov 10, 20213 min
(Image courtesy of the Smithsonian)
(Image: Places of Invention, an exhibition from the Lemelson Center. Smithsonian photo)
I work for the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, located inside the National Museum of American History. The Center is located in the American History Museum because the late Jerome Lemelson, a prolific American inventor with more than 600 patents, funded programs to encourage young people to pursue careers in invention and entrepreneurship, and to foster greater awareness and appreciation of inventors and invention in the United States.
We study invention from an American angle. As a result of our location, we’re able to use some of the Museum’s exhibit space and access their vast collections. The Center is composed of a team of historians, curators, educators, and I handle the marketing duties on the team. We primarily study patents, invention stories, and operate a hands-on invention space called Spark!Lab. Spark!Lab is designed for kids ages six-twelve to think about inventive solutions through creative play.
(Image courtesy of The Lemelson Center. Smithsonian photo)
We have a current exhibition about women inventors called Picturing Women Inventors. When you think of American inventors, you think of Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell; we want to show how the United States has a rich history of women inventors. For example, Marilyn Hamilton invited the Quickie wheelchair. When she was younger, she loved participating in extreme sports. One day she was in a terrible hang-gliding accident that left her paralyzed. Hamilton was not ready to quit her active lifestyle. Instead of resigning to fate, she and some friends developed a lightweight wheelchair, called the Quickie, using hang gliding materials. She went on to win National Wheelchair Tennis Singles and Doubles Championships with her Quickie wheelchair.
(Image courtesy of The Lemelson Center. Smithsonian photo)
Our primary mission is to empower everybody with the knowledge that they are inventive. People can take away important lessons from inspiring invention stories to get a new perspective on things you encounter every day. It boils down to practicing your creativity. I think it's so important to know you have the competence and confidence to create solutions. Inventing is the art of finding solutions to problems.
(Video courtesy of The Lemelson Center)
I would say, look around and think of the issues that you are experiencing at any level. Maybe your sink isn't working, or you can't find your clicker. It's about finding a different way to accomplish a task that is easier and better. It's about not accepting the status quo as the solution to the problem.
(Image courtesy of https://www.careerinnovation.com/how-to-adapt-and-grow-for-careers-of-tomorrow-part-1-of-2 )
We are currently preparing for events and programs for 2022. Our award-winning Innovative Lives spring series begins in February. In April we will be hosting the ACCelerate Creativity + Innovation Festival, a celebration of science, engineering, arts and design featuring projects designed by students and faculty of participating Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schools.
(Video courtesy of The Lemelson Center)