National Inventors Hall of Fame facts for kids
Display of inductees in the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Alexandria
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| Abbreviation | NIHF |
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| Formation | 1973 |
| Type | NPO |
| Legal status | Organization |
| Purpose | "Honor[ing] the women and men responsible for the great technological advances that make human, social and economic progress possible." |
| Headquarters | 3701 Highland Park N.W. North Canton, Ohio 44720 |
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Region served
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United States |
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Membership
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652 inventors |
| Affiliations | Invent Now America |
The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) is an American non-profit organization. It was started in 1973. This group honors engineers and inventors who have a special US patent for important technology. Besides the Hall of Fame, they also have a museum in Alexandria, Virginia. They also run fun educational programs and a competition for college students.
As of today, in 2025, 652 inventors have joined this special group. Most are historical figures, but some are still alive. To be chosen, an inventor must have a US patent that has greatly helped the country. Their invention must also advance science and useful arts.
Contents
The Story of the Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame began in 1973. It was the idea of H. Hume Mathews. He was the chairman of a group called the National Council of Patent Law Associations. Ed Sobey helped launch it and became its first director. In 1974, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C. became a big supporter.
Where the Hall of Fame Lived
At first, the Hall was inside the United States Patent and Trademark Office building in Washington, D.C. This was close to the Washington National Airport. But it soon needed more space and a better location. In 1986, a committee was formed to find a new home. For a while, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, seemed like the best choice.
However, in 1987, a patent attorney named Edwin "Ned" Oldham from Akron, Ohio, led an effort to move the Hall to Akron. The city of Akron offered a lot of financial support. This offer was much better than any other city's proposal. So, the Board of Directors chose Akron as the new home.
A New Home in Akron
The new building in Akron was finished in 1995. It opened to the public as "Inventure Place."
Inventure Place was designed to be more than just a museum. It was also meant to be a workshop for inventors. It was a place where people could learn about creativity. The building was designed by James Polshek. It was made of stainless steel and looked like curving white sails. Inside, it had five levels of exhibits. Visitors could even use computers to make animations and laser-light shows.
But not enough people visited the museum. It never made a profit. However, other programs like Invent Now and Camp Invention were very successful. In 2002, the museum's name changed to the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum (NIHFM).
Moving to Virginia
Six years later, in 2008, the NIHFM moved to Alexandria, Virginia. The old building in Akron became a special school. It is now the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School. This school is for students in grades 5 through 8.
Honoring New Inventors
Every year, there is a special ceremony to honor new inventor members. This event is usually held near the NIHFM. The location has changed over the years. For example, it was in Arlington, Virginia, in 1980. It was in Akron, Ohio, in 1990 and 2006. Since 2010, it has often been in Washington, D.C. In 2009, when the museum was moving, the ceremony was held at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.
What the Hall of Fame Does
In Alexandria, the National Inventors Hall of Fame has a museum inside the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office building. You can find it at 600 Dulany Street. The museum has digital pictures of the honored inventors. It also has interactive screens and a theater. The best part is that admission is free!
Besides showing exhibits, the Hall of Fame also runs special programs. These include Camp Invention, Club Invention, and the Collegiate Inventors Competition.
Camp Invention
Camp Invention started in 1990. It is a daytime summer camp for children. It has program sites in 49 states across the country. Camp Invention is a well-known summer program. It focuses on helping kids be creative and solve real-world problems. It also teaches them about the spirit of invention.
Collegiate Inventors Competition
The Collegiate Inventors Competition began in 1990. It encourages college and university students to be creative. They use science, engineering, and technology to solve problems. Since it started, this competition has given over $1 million to winning students. There are two categories: undergraduate and graduate.
In 2012, some winning ideas included a new way to deliver medicine for treating cancer. Another winner found a way to make suturing easier in stomach surgery. Other finalists created amazing things. One used CT scanning and 3-D printing to make a copy of a lost hand. Another designed a special shoulder brace for athletes. There was even an electric motorcycle that used spheres instead of wheels!
Inducted Inventors
More to Explore
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- Science and technology in the United States
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- United States Patent and Trademark Office
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