Senate Makes May National Inventors Month

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Edison Nation® (www.edisonnation.com) and Inventors Digest (www.inventorsdigest.com) are celebrating the official move to May of National Inventors Month with a roll out of product-submission opportunities and contests.

Edison Nation is an idea-to-shelf consumer product developer and social community for inventors. Throughout May, Edison Nation is offering one free submission of a patented or patent-pending idea for a current search hosted on EdisonNation.com. Mattel®, Atomi (for The Sharper Image), and leaders from the As Seen On TV industry are currently hosting searches for new product ideas. In addition, Edison Nation features a $25 Million Innovation Fund that is actively seeking to invest in the development and licensing of new innovations.

As an original founder and lead agent in moving National Inventors Month, Inventors Digest is offering free subscriptions through contests on its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/inventorsdigest) throughout May.

"Innovation is woven within our organizations' fabric," says Louis Foreman, co-founder of Edison Nation and publisher of Inventors Digest. "It's a privilege to be a part of this dynamic inventor community and offer a resource to those hoping to push the boundaries of innovation."

Senior Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) late Tuesday announced a Senate Resolution officially designating May 2011 as National Inventors Month.

August traditionally has been National Inventors Month. The move to May better aligns with the academic calendar, explained Inventors Digest Editor Mike Drummond.

"The move allows more opportunities for youth K-12 to become aware of the vital contributions inventors have made and continue to make to society," Drummond said, "as well as to more broadly celebrate and foster the spirit and practice of innovation."

In addition, the move coincides with the annual National Inventors Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., each May. Tonight's induction features an address by David Kappos, director of the United States Patent & Trademark Office, and will celebrate the induction of groundbreaking inventors.

About Edison Nation®

Edison Nation is an idea-to-shelf consumer product developer behind such products as Gyro Bowl, Emery Cat and Mister Steamy. Edison Nation operates an invention-centric multi-platform organization, including Everyday Edisons, an Emmy® award-winning series on public television now in production for Season 4, and the namesake Edison Nation sponsored idea search service that has brought to market dozens of products in over 25,000 stores nationwide through partnerships with leading retailers and manufacturers. Edison Nation was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C.

About Inventors Digest

Inventors Digest Magazine is the nation's longest-running publication and website for the inventing industry. Published monthly with daily web updates, Inventors Digest is the leading publication for inventors, intellectual property professionals, engineers and product developers.

SOURCE Edison Nation