National Inventors Hall of Fame Announces 2014 Inductees

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has released the names of its 2014 Inductees. The NIHF Inductee list includes inventors who have made extraordinary contributions to their respective fields, and in many cases, changed the world forever – names such as William Bowerman, who created the modern athletic shoe; Charles Hull, who invented the 3D printer; Richard DiMarchi, whose Humalog® insulin improved the quality of life for millions of diabetes patients; and Frances Arnold, whose process for accelerating the evolution of enzymes has contributed to significant advancements in science, medicine, chemicals, and energy. (See complete list below.)

"Everyone associated with the National Inventors Hall of Fame is privileged to honor individuals every year whose ingenuity, passion, and drive have transformed the world in which we live," said Invent Now CEO Michael Oister. "The class of 2014 has made contributions to make our lives safer, healthier, more connected, more efficient, and more convenient. They gave us the 3D printer, directed evolution, technology to clean the world's water supply, foundations of wireless communications and computer technology, and so much more. As we welcome all 2014 Inductees to our NIHF family, we also look forward to them serving as inspiration for future generations through our education programs including Camp Invention and the Collegiate Inventors Competition."

Located on the campus of the USPTO in Alexandria, Virginia, the National Inventors Hall of Fame was established in 1973 to honor the individuals who have conceived, patented, and advanced great technological achievements since the birth of our nation. The criteria for Induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame requires candidates to hold a United States patent that has contributed significantly to the nation's welfare and the advancement of science and useful arts.

The 2014 Inductees to the National Inventors Hall of Fame 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 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
• Howard Aiken, Benjamin Durfee, Frank Hamilton, and Clair Lake (honored posthumously) – Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC or Mark 1), which was the first 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

The entire class of Inductees will be honored during a special Induction Ceremony scheduled to take place on May 21, 2014, at the USPTO. NIHF will also unveil the new National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum located on the USPTO campus.

"The USPTO is proud to be a partner of Invent Now with both the National Inventors Hall of Fame and its museum," said Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Deputy Director Michelle K. Lee. "We are looking forward to hosting this year's Induction in May, because we will be doing so with a museum that will have been transformed into a true Hall of Fame, a reimagined space celebrating groundbreaking innovation and inventive passion."

The National Inventors Hall of Fame is honored to recognize and induct great inventors throughout history, such as Eli Whitney, Thomas  Edison, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein, and George Eastman, as well Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak (Apple co-founders), and John Harvey Kellogg. The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a supporting organization of the nonprofit Invent Now, which integrates NIHF Inductees to inspire and challenge future generations through programs including Camp Invention and the Collegiate Inventors Competition.

Visit www.invent.org for a complete list of NIHF Inductees and their inventions.

About Invent Now, Inc.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame, Camp Invention, and the Collegiate Inventors Competition serve as the authority on inspiring invention and comprise Invent Now. This nationwide organization is committed to the curious minds and innovative spirits of the past, present and future. Founded in 1973 as the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the organization has since expanded its national presence through education, inventor recognition, and independent inventor programs. For more information, visit www.invent.org.

For additional information, images or to schedule interviews with NIHF Executives or Inductees, please contact:

SOURCE The National Inventors Hall of Fame