@SI_Invention

The @Smithsonian's Lemelson Center is dedicated to the study of invention in history & encouraging inventive creativity. Legal: https://xitter.cf/t.co/n2sXwkVxRN

 Washington, D.C.
invention.si.edu
Joined July 2009
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There are many ways to stay in touch with us. Find us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn! Or subscribe to our newsletter: bit.ly/3T6TYzE Image: Linotype Leadership, Mergenthaler Linotype Company, 1930. Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Libraries
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In the event of a government shutdown on Oct. 1, Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo will remain OPEN through at least Oct. 7. The Smithsonian can use prior-year funds still available to us to remain open. Visit si.edu for updates.

Smithsonian Institution | Home

si.edu
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The next generation of the Lemelson Center’s website is coming! Fill out our 3 minute survey to contribute your ideas of the website’s current strengths and opportunities for improvement: surveymonkey.com/r/VFXRKC9
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Lemelson Center retweeted
USPTO
@uspto19 Jul 2023
We relish reminding you how important it is to protect your intellectual property. We’re celebrating #NationalHotDog Day with a look at an American hot dog brand that has protected its intellectual property with patents and trademarks for over 100 years.
Design patent no. 171,550 for the "Wienermobile", which is shaped like a large hot dog

ALT Design patent no. 171,550 for the "Wienermobile", which is shaped like a large hot dog

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🎉 Today’s the day— the start of the 3rd annual Smithsonian National Education Summit! 🏛️ Joining us in-person? Starting today, check in at the @SmithsonianAIB (900 Jefferson Dr. SW) to pick up your registration from 11:30am - 5:30pm (Tues) or 9:00am - 3:00pm (Wed and Thurs).
Teachers line up in a museum lobby with tables and a blue sign that says registration

ALT Teachers line up in a museum lobby with tables and a blue sign that says registration

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Jerome Lemelson, the legendary inventor who changed the world with his groundbreaking patents and innovative ideas, would have turned 100 this month! Share your favorite invention that has impacted your life. #WhatWillYouInvent #JerryLemelson100
An older white man wearing a suit stands behind a table, on the table is a boombox, a toy car race track with two loops, and a dart board.

ALT An older white man wearing a suit stands behind a table, on the table is a boombox, a toy car race track with two loops, and a dart board.

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In celebration of Jerry Lemelson’s 100th birthday, we’re bringing inventor notebooks out of storage from the @amhistorymuseum collections. Join us today from 1-3pm to explore some of our rarely seen objects & be inspired to sketch your own inventions. Inventor notebooks provided!
About 70 of Lemelson’s patents describe toys, including his first patent, issued in 1953, for a new kind of propeller beanie. US Patent 2,6454,973, courtesy US Patent and Trademark Office

ALT About 70 of Lemelson’s patents describe toys, including his first patent, issued in 1953, for a new kind of propeller beanie. US Patent 2,6454,973, courtesy US Patent and Trademark Office

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The @SmithsonianEdu’s National Education Summit is almost here! There’s nothing better than learning with friends. Know someone who would love to grow skills, learn from peers, and build their community? Register here and tell a friend: s.si.edu/EducationSummit2023 #SmithsonianNES2023

National Education Summit 2023 | Smithsonian Institution

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Happy Fourth of July! Today in 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft on this portable desk of his own design: s.si.edu/3CS5p5e
In 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on this portable desk of his own design. It features a hinged writing board and a locking drawer for papers, pens, and inkwell.

ALT In 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on this portable desk of his own design. It features a hinged writing board and a locking drawer for papers, pens, and inkwell.

In 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on this portable desk of his own design. It features a hinged writing board and a locking drawer for papers, pens, and inkwell.

ALT In 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on this portable desk of his own design. It features a hinged writing board and a locking drawer for papers, pens, and inkwell.

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"As someone who is fond of the writings of Jules Verne, and someone who also does a lot of hands-on repair work, Skylab struck a new chord with me as an adult." Discover the wonders of Skylab, America's first manned space station, in our latest blog post: invention.si.edu/skylab-adve…
A view of Skylab—with its solar arrays attached to an observatory from which crew could view the Sun—after its repair. Note the gold sun shield placed by the crew of Skylab 2 to cover the main portion of the space station. The solar array that appears oriented like a flag was freed during a spacewalk. Courtesy of NASA

ALT A view of Skylab—with its solar arrays attached to an observatory from which crew could view the Sun—after its repair. Note the gold sun shield placed by the crew of Skylab 2 to cover the main portion of the space station. The solar array that appears oriented like a flag was freed during a spacewalk. Courtesy of NASA

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Lemelson Center retweeted
Smithsonian
@smithsonian21 Jun 2023
I’m *flying* on sunshine, woah! 🎵 Birds photobombed this image of the Sun at the @airandspace Public Observatory, making a silhouette. This Saturday, June 24, grab a glimpse of the Sun during our free #SolsticeSaturday celebration on the National Mall. si.edu/SolsticeSaturday
The Sun appears as a large, burnt orange circle with a black background. The small silhouettes of two birds are visible near the center of the Sun.

ALT The Sun appears as a large, burnt orange circle with a black background. The small silhouettes of two birds are visible near the center of the Sun.

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Lemelson Center retweeted
Tinkercad@tinkercad10 Jun 2023
. @SI_Invention challenges you to create an innovative marble run with these virtual materials or create your own parts and pieces. Design fun marble runs and use #TinkercadSimLab to test them out! tinkercad.com/projects/Spark…
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Exciting news from @amhistorymuseum!
National Museum of American History@amhistorymuseum25 May 2023
Tampons, napkins, cups, and belts—with #MenstrualHygieneDay coming up this weekend, we’re thrilled to announce that more than 500 objects and archival materials documenting the history of menstrual products are joining our collection. americanhistory.si.edu/blog/…
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Lemelson Center retweeted
Tinkercad@tinkercad20 May 2023
. @SI_Invention sets you up with everything you need to use Tinkercad to create a piece of skateable art! Check out the tutorial and the great starter designs. 😎 tinkercad.com/projects/Creat…
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Happy inventing, Lil Otis! Thanks for visiting!
Irving Archives and Museum@iamirvingtx19 May 2023
Last week #Otis' little brother, Lil Otis, took a trip with our director to Washington, D.C.! Here he is at some of the sites he visited: D.C. Metro Station, @SI_Invention's Spark!Lab, @NMAAHC, & @BuildingMuseum He also visited the @USNatArchives & @SmithsonianNMAI! #otisatiam
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We’re thrilled about the newest exhibition at @smithsonianACM, “To Live & Breathe: Women & Environmental Justice in Washington, D.C.,” featuring stories of women who led environmental justice efforts in their own communities and beyond! Learn more: anacostia.si.edu/liveandbrea…
Yellow graphic with black text: To Live & Breathe: Women & Environmental Justice in Washington, D.C. May 19, 2023 - January 7, 2024. Anacostia Community Museum and Smithsonian logos.

ALT Yellow graphic with black text: To Live & Breathe: Women & Environmental Justice in Washington, D.C. May 19, 2023 - January 7, 2024. Anacostia Community Museum and Smithsonian logos.

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After eight years, our "Places of Invention" exhibition at @amhistorymuseum will close on July 30. To mark this milestone, our Innovative Lives program series this spring has featured inventors reflecting on some of the places in the exhibition. invention.si.edu/many-facets…
The Places of Invention interactive map illustrates the breadth of inventive spaces worldwide. © Smithsonian Institution

ALT The Places of Invention interactive map illustrates the breadth of inventive spaces worldwide. © Smithsonian Institution

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Theresa Dankovich invented germ-killing water filters as a graduate student and co-founded her company Folia Water in 2016 to scale up production. Folia Filters (US Patent 9,611,153) are made of thick paper embedded with silver nanoparticles, which are lethal to microbes.
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Madison Maxey has always loved making things—from clothing to stretchy inks that conduct electricity. Maxey and her company, LOOMIA, create fabrics that act like circuit boards for innovative products that range from medical wearables for monitoring patients to heated ski gear.
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Theresa Dankovich and Madison Maxey have called multiple locations their “place of invention.” What factored into selecting the spots they chose? And what made them move on? Find out during Innovative Lives on May 10! Registration is free but required: eventbrite.com/e/53958001735…
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