Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Announces 2014 Inductees

TAMPA, Fla., July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas Edison, Gatorade inventor Robert Cade, and John Gorrie, the air conditioning pioneer whose statue represents Florida in the U.S. Capitol Building, were among the six inventors announced today as the first inductees of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. 

Also announced as part of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame inaugural class were the inventor of the high definition camera for NASA, William Glenn; next generation liquid crystal display inventor Shin-Tson Wu; and Shyam Mohapatra, whose nano-HIV detection kit provides a diagnosis in just 20 seconds.  All will be inducted at the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame inaugural Induction Ceremony & Gala on Sep. 10, 2014, in Tampa.

"We are thrilled to be announcing this charter class of outstanding inventors whose work has had such an impact on the lives of Floridians and the world," said Paul R. Sanberg, chair of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Advisory Board and senior vice president for research and innovation at the University of South Florida, where the Hall of Fame is located. 

"Our hope is that the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame will encourage individuals of all ages and backgrounds to strive toward the betterment of Florida and society through continuous, groundbreaking innovation," said Sanberg.

The newly established Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, one of only seven state inventors' halls of fame throughout the US, was recognized last April with a resolution passed by the Florida Senate to honor outstanding Florida inventors.  The resolution, adopted at the request of Senator Jeff Brandes (22^nd District), recognized the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame "for its commitment to honoring inventors and celebrating innovation, discovery, and excellence."

Nominees, who must have at least one U.S. patent, were nominated through an open nomination process and elected by a selection committee comprised of distinguished leaders in research and innovation throughout Florida. 

"Florida has become a national leader in research and innovation, and each of these inventors is an outstanding example of the creative thinking that has distinguished Florida both in the past and today," said Randy Berridge, president of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and Hall of Fame Advisory Board member. 

"Every new generation of scientists and inventors generates discoveries, economic growth and opportunity, not only for Floridians but for our nation and the world," said Berridge.

More information, including bios and photos of the 2014 inductees, is at http://FloridaInvents.org.

The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame (FIHF) recognizes and commends Florida inventors whose achievements have advanced the quality of life for Floridians, the state and the nation. Founded in 2013 and housed at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FIHF was recognized by Florida Senate Resolution 1756 in April of 2014. FIHF encourages individuals of all ages and backgrounds to strive toward the betterment of Florida and society through continuous, groundbreaking innovation, and, by commending the incredible scientific work being accomplished in the state, to further the growth of Florida's innovation sector.  FloridaInvents.org 

Contact: 
Judy Lowry 
813-974-3181  
Email

SOURCE Florida Inventors Hall of Fame