"Fire of Genius'' in World-Renowned Inventors to be Celebrated at 2014 National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Abraham Lincoln once stated that "The patent system added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius" and to continue to ignite that fire each year, the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) celebrate new Inductees who have created inventions that have changed the world. This year's celebration will take place on May 21 in Alexandria, Virginia, and honor the "fire of genius" in the life-changing achievements of U.S. patent holders who gave us the 3D printer, the Nike running shoe, and many other advancements in medicine, science, technology and engineering.  The event will also include the grand re-opening of the National Inventors Hall of Fame on the USPTO campus.

"We are privileged to honor the 2014 Inductees and their innovations that have changed the world," said Mike Oister, CEO of Invent Now, which coordinates the National Inventors Hall of Fame. "The unveiling of our newly renovated Hall of Fame will put these visionaries and their powerful inventions on display for all to see. And by increasing the visibility of their work, we hope to inspire even more innovation by connecting the accomplished inventor with the curiosity of the next generation."

The National Inventors Hall of Fame was established in 1973 and honors monumental individuals who have contributed great technological achievements and helped stimulate growth for our nation and beyond. The criteria for induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame requires candidates to hold a U.S. patent that has contributed significantly to the nation's welfare and the advancement of science and useful arts.

The 2014 National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees are:

• Frances H. Arnold – Directed evolution of enzymes that enables a wide range of solutions in fields including chemical engineering, bioengineering, medicine, pharmaceuticals and energy;
• Richard DiMarchi – Insulin Lispro (Humalog^®), a drug that significantly reduced the risk of life-threatening complications for diabetes patients;
• Mildred Dresselhaus – Development of super lattice structures and related carbon technologies that served as the foundation for the lithium-ion batteries used today in computers, cell phones and automobiles;
• Ashok Gadgil – Innovative solutions for providing clean water in the world's developing nations;
• Charles Hull – Stereolithography, commonly known as 3D printing, which has become the basis of a new industry;
• Howard Aiken, Benjamin Durfee, Frank Hamilton, and Clair Lake (honored posthumously) – Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC or Mark I), which was the first large scale digital automatic calculator in the U.S. and a precursor to modern computer technology;
• George Antheil and Hedy Lamarr (honored posthumously) – Frequency hopping techniques that are often referenced as an important development in wireless communications;
• William Bowerman (honored posthumously) – A lighter and faster athletic shoe;
• Otis Boykin (honored posthumously) – Advancements in electrical resistors that made possible the steady workings of guided missiles, pacemakers, televisions, radios, computers, and other electrical devices;
• David Crosthwait (honored posthumously) – Advancements in indoor climate control technology that made heating systems in larger buildings more effective;
• Willis Whitfield (honored posthumously) – First modern clean room that today is essential to the manufacture of modern electronic devices.

The Hall of Fame grand re-opening will be coupled with an exclusive celebration event to introduce guests to the new space and its interactive exhibits. New and past Inductees will kick off the celebration with a VIP reception, where they will contribute to the conception of the new Hall of Fame by placing individual illuminated hexagons on the centerpiece display. One-by-one, these Inductees will light the path of history throughout the nation, while simultaneously influencing the future of innovation.  The Hall of Fame is 5,000 square feet and is open to the public on Thursday, May 22 starting at 11 a.m. 

The VIP reception will then be followed with the official National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where the new Inductee class will be honored for fueling the "fire of genius" through their contributions to the prosperity and well-being of America and the world.

As part of their continued involvement in the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Inductees will help to foster the development of America's next generation of innovators by helping create the curriculum of Camp Invention, the nation's premier summer enrichment day camp that encourages innovation in youth and focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Inductees will also help select winners in the annual Collegiate Inventors Competition, a national platform for showcasing the emerging ideas and technologies that will benefit our society in the future.

For more information about the National Inventors Hall of Fame or the grand re-opening, please visit www.invent.org.

About the National Inventors Hall of Fame:
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is the premier non-profit organization in America dedicated to honoring legendary inventors whose innovations and entrepreneurial endeavors have changed the world.  Founded in 1973 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the National Council of Intellectual Property Law Association, the Hall of Fame will have 502 Inductees with its 2014 Induction.   The National Inventors Hall of Fame is located in the atrium of the Madison Building on the campus of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, at 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA.  Admission is free.  For more information on the National Inventors Hall of Fame, including Inductee nomination forms and a full listing of Inductees, please visit www.invent.org.

About Invent Now:
The mission of Invent Now is to be a catalyst for change through recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Invent Now was founded in 1973 as the National Inventors Hall of Fame with the mission of recognizing and honoring the great inventors of our time. Now a supporting organization of Invent Now, Inc., the National Inventors Hall of Fame honors individuals in recognition of their patented inventions that have created entire industries and driven this nation's economic progress.

CONTACT:
Beth Thompson
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SOURCE National Inventors Hall of Fame