The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) is a U.S. not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors Americans responsible for great technological advances that make human, social and economic progress possible. As of 2012 there were 470 inductees. New inductee announcements are made in mid-February.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame was founded in 1973 on the initiative of H. Hume Mathews, then chairman of the National Council of Patent Law Associations (now called the National Council of Intellectual Property Law Associations). The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office became a cosponsor of the NIHF the following year.
Originally housed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the Hall outgrew its location and moved to Akron, Ohio. The Hall of Fame building in Akron, which also housed hands-on interactive exhibits, opened to the public in 1995 under the name Inventure Place. In 2002 the name was changed to the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum. In 2008 the NIHF was closed in Akron and reopened in Alexandria. The building in Akron is currently used by the National Inventors Hall of Fame School...Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning, a middle school within the Akron Public Schools.
During the annual induction ceremony, a new class of inventors is recognized. Inventors must hold a U.S. patent to be considered, and the invention must have contributed to the welfare of mankind and have promoted the progress of science and the useful arts. A National Selection Committee and Blue Ribbon Panel select inductees.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame takes part in physical activities that embody the inventive spirit. The National Inventors Hall of Fame promotes future generations of inventors through Invent Now Kids, a major subsidiary of the organization, and the Collegiate Inventors Competition. In addition, the National Inventors Hall of Fame is involved with many ventures as well as special projects with national partners.
Read more about National Inventors Hall Of Fame: U.S. Patent and Trademark Museum, Invent Now
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