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, thanks to H. Hume Mathews, who was the chairman of the National Council of Patent Law Associations. Ed Sobey started it and was the first director. In 1974, it received major support from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C..

Originally, the Hall was located in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C., close to the Washington National Airport. But it soon needed a bigger, more noticeable place. In 1986, a group was formed to find a new home. For a while, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, seemed like the best choice. However, in 1987, Edwin "Ned" Oldham, a patent attorney from Akron, led the effort to move the Hall to Akron. The city of Akron offered much more financial support than any other place, so the Board chose Akron. The new building was completed in 1995 and opened as Inventure Place.

Inventure Place was planned to be more than just a museum and library. It was also meant to serve as a workspace for inventors and a national center for creativity. Designed by architect James Stewart Polshek from New York City, the building looked like a row of white sails made of stainless steel and had five levels of exhibits. Visitors could use computers to create animations and run laser-light shows.

However, not as many people visited as expected, and the museum did not make a profit. Despite this, its programs, such as Invent Now and Camp Invention, were successful. In 2002, the name changed to the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum (NIHFM). Six years later, in 2008, the NIHFM moved to Alexandria, Virginia. The old building became a special school for students in grades 5 through 8, known since 2010 as the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School, part of the Akron Public Schools.

Each year, a ceremony is held to welcome new inventor members. The ceremony usually takes place near the NIHFM, but the location can change. For example, it was held in Arlington, VA in 1980; Akron, OH in 1990 and 2006; and Washington, D.C. from 2003 onward. When the museum moved in 2009, the ceremony was held 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. Some past projects included new ways to help with cancer treatment and improved methods for suturing in surgery.

Inductees

Main article: List of National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees

The National Inventors Hall of Fame honors people who have created important technologies. As of 2025, 652 inventors have been recognized. These inventors include people from past centuries and some who are still alive today.