National Inventors Hall of Fame

The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) is an American not-for-profit organization that started in 1973. It honors special engineers and inventors who have created important things with a US patent that help technology. The NIHF does more than just honor people; it also has a museum in Alexandria, Virginia, runs educational programs, and holds a competition for college students.

By 2025, 652 inventors had been chosen for the Hall of Fame. Most of these inventors lived long ago, but some are still alive today. To be considered, an inventor must have a US patent for something that really helps people and moves science forward in useful ways.

History

The National Inventors Hall of Fame began in 1973. Ed Sobey started it and was the first director. In 1974, it got major support from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C..

At first, the Hall was in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C., near the Washington National Airport. But it needed a bigger place. In 1987, Edwin "Ned" Oldham led the effort to move the Hall to Akron, Ohio. Akron gave more money than any other city, so the Board chose Akron. The new building was finished in 1995 and called Inventure Place.

Inventure Place was more than just a museum. It was also a place for inventors to work and a center for creativity. The building looked like white sails and had five levels of exhibits. Visitors could use computers to make animations and see laser-light shows.

But not as many people visited as hoped, and the museum did not make money. Still, its programs were successful. In 2002, the name changed to the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum (NIHFM). In 2008, the NIHFM moved to Alexandria, Virginia. The old building became a special school for students, called the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School, part of the Akron Public Schools.

Each year, a ceremony welcomes new inventor members. The ceremony usually happens near the NIHFM, but the place can change. It was held in different cities like Arlington, VA; Akron, OH; and Washington, D.C. When the museum moved in 2009, the ceremony was at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA.

Activities

The National Inventors Hall of Fame has a museum in Alexandria, located in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office building. The museum offers free entry and features digital portraits of honored inventors, interactive displays, and a theater.

Besides the museum, the Hall of Fame supports several programs. Camp Invention, started in 1990, is a summer camp for children across 49 states. It focuses on creativity, problem-solving, and the spirit of invention. The Collegiate Inventors Competition, also begun in 1990, encourages college and university students to use science, engineering, and technology to solve real-world problems. The competition has awarded over $1 million to students, recognizing both undergraduate and graduate winners.

Inductees

Main article: List of National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees

The National Inventors Hall of Fame honors people who made important inventions. As of 2025, 652 inventors have been recognized. These inventors include people from long ago and some who are still alive today.