https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/patents/RSS feed for PatentsenThu, 24 Sep 2026 19:04:30 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/the-humble-history-of-the-bedpan-180989560/Over the past few centuries, inventors have tweaked the design of the receptacles here and there, but overall, not much has changed about the dependable medical supplyThu, 24 Sep 2026 19:04:30 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/the-humble-history-of-the-bedpan-180989560/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-the-boogie-board-became-one-of-summers-most-popular-toys-180989316/Fifty-five years ago, surfer Tom Morey cut a piece of polyethylene foam with a carving knife and created a wave-riding board with a low barrier of entryWed, 12 Aug 2026 17:02:02 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-the-boogie-board-became-one-of-summers-most-popular-toys-180989316/