Patents
From the Inventor of Mass-Market Paper Bags to a Scientist Who Unraveled the Mysteries of Polio, Meet Five American Women Whose Remarkable Achievements Have Long Been Overlooked
The inaugural exhibition at the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum seeks to shine light on lesser-known historical figures
New Synthetic Horseshoe Crab Blood Could Mean Pharma Won't Bleed the Species Dry
The “living fossils” have been vital for testing intravenous drugs, but a few large pharmaceutical companies are using a lab-made compound instead
How Popping Open a Can Became the Sound of Summer
More than 60 years ago, an unfortunate picnic set Ohioan Ermal C. Fraze on a path to inventing the first pop-top tab opener for canned beverages
After 150 Years, Levi's 501 Blue Jeans Are Still Kicking
The iconic garment began as a practical piece of clothing for miners to wear during long, difficult shifts
This 18-Year-Old Developed a Test to Find Out If Your Drink Has Been Spiked
The simple and inexpensive sensor detects the antihistamine in "Benadryl cocktails"
The Surprisingly Scientific Roots of Monkey Bars
A century ago, a Princeton mathematician created what would become a mainstay of the American playground
This British Zoologist Wants to Reinvent Color
Andrew Parker has produced some of the brightest hues in the world. So, what’s his secret?
A Ukrainian Teenager Invents a Drone That Can Detect Land Mines
Seventeen-year-old Igor Klymenko worked on his invention while sheltering in a basement from Russian attacks
The Science Behind Nonalcoholic Wine
Drinking habits are changing, and vintners are exceeding tasters' expectations with new options stripped of their alcohol
The Remarkable Effort to Locate America's Lost Patents
An 1836 blaze destroyed thousands of records that catalogued the young nation's ingenuity, but recent discoveries indicate that originals may still exist
The Sucky History of the Breast Pump
Efficient, double electric pumps are only 30 years young, but contraptions for expressing breast milk have been around for millennia
This 17-Year-Old Designed a Motor That Could Potentially Transform the Electric Car Industry
Robert Sansone's research could pave the way for the sustainable manufacturing of electric vehicles that do not require rare-earth magnets
Could Water Cremation Become the New American Way of Death?
A sustainable option for what to do with our remains is trickling into popular consciousness
In the 25 Years Since Its Launch, AOL Instant Messenger Has Never Been 'Away'
While some aspects of AIM seem like relics of a different version of the internet, others remain deeply embedded in the social media landscape
This High Schooler Invented a Low-Cost, Mind-Controlled Prosthetic Arm
Seventeen-year-old Benjamin Choi put his spare time during the pandemic to good use designing an accessible device that doesn't require brain surgery
Five Women Inventors You Didn't Learn About in History Class
These innovators pioneered word processing, launched Americans into space and more
Tearing Down the Barriers for Black Inventors Begins With Honoring Their Historic Breakthroughs
Smithsonian’s Eric S. Hintz, a historian of invention, details how scholars are envisioning a more inclusive ecosystem for the innovators of tomorrow
Polaroid Inventor Edwin Land Gave Us More Than Just Instant Photos
Seventy-five years after the game-changing camera was unveiled to the public, a scientist calls attention to Land's other technological breakthroughs
Seven Fitness Inventions That Were Dropped Like New Year's Resolutions
From roller armor to a weight helmet, these patented pieces of exercise equipment came and went
Ten Scientific Discoveries From 2021 That May Lead to New Inventions
From nanobots to cancer treatments, nature inspires a wide variety of innovations
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