Scientific Innovation | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/scientific-innovation/RSS feed for Scientific InnovationenFri, 12 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000How the Hashtag Became the Way to Instantly Invite Literally Everyone Into the Conversationhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-hashtag-became-way-instantly-invite-literally-everyone-into-conversation-180988813/In the nascent days of Twitter, users wanted a quick way to cluster posts about a single subject. Someone suggested using a pound sign, and #TheRestIsHistoryFri, 12 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-hashtag-became-way-instantly-invite-literally-everyone-into-conversation-180988813/The Operating Room Where Anesthesia Was First Demonstrated Is Now a Landmark. But for the Men Who Claimed Credit, There Was Much Miseryhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/operating-room-where-anesthesia-first-demonstrated-now-landmark-men-claimed-credit-much-misery-180988842/Medical procedures used to be a scream-filled endurance test until doctors at this Boston institution learned to tame the pain of patientsThu, 11 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/operating-room-where-anesthesia-first-demonstrated-now-landmark-men-claimed-credit-much-misery-180988842/Some Presidents Offer More Than Just Policy. Here Are Five Who Brought Their Innovative Spirit to the Officehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/some-presidents-offer-more-just-policy-here-are-five-brought-innovative-spirit-office-180988834/One president invented campaign buttons so he could just stay home during election season. Another one rallied Americans to go to the moon. And one—only one—holds a patent.Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/some-presidents-offer-more-just-policy-here-are-five-brought-innovative-spirit-office-180988834/Because of a Mathematician From Rural Virginia’s Work on Global Positioning, You Have No Excuse for Getting Losthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/gladys-west-gives-directions-180988807/Gladys West had an “insatiable thirst for knowledge.” She used computers, radars and satellites to make calculations that led to the GPS technology that allows us to pinpoint any spot on the globeFri, 05 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/gladys-west-gives-directions-180988807/This Playful Interactive Reveals the Medical Advances That Have Made Life Better … and Sometimes Longerhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/this-playful-interactive-reveals-the-medical-advances-that-have-made-life-better-and-sometimes-longer-180988867/From replacing lost limbs to helping a heart find its rhythm, the work of American doctors and researchers has improved lives in incalculable waysFri, 05 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/this-playful-interactive-reveals-the-medical-advances-that-have-made-life-better-and-sometimes-longer-180988867/When the Fear of Polio Gripped the World, Jonas Salk’s Determination Led to a Liberating Medical Breakthroughhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/when-fear-polio-gripped-world-jonas-salk-determination-led-liberating-medical-breakthrough-180988798/The son of the doctor, himself now a physician and researcher, recalls his vaccination in the kitchen as painless. Now, he recounts the impact of the work his father ledThu, 04 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/when-fear-polio-gripped-world-jonas-salk-determination-led-liberating-medical-breakthrough-180988798/Smithsonian Magazine Presents: America at 250—The Revolutionary Sparkhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-revolutionary-spark-180988782/Celebrating the visionary insights & darling innovators that forged a nation.Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:04:49 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-revolutionary-spark-180988782/