Meet Real-World Superheroes

Did you know some of the best role models for your students can be found in the National Inventors Hall of Fame®? It’s true! More than 650 inventors have been inducted so far, and each one has a unique story that will inspire young learners to bring their own ideas to life.

What makes our Inductees such great role models?

They demonstrate the I Can Invent® Mindset – the same mindset that can help your students reach their own potential.

They introduce students to essential skills and exciting career possibilities.

Their inventions represent world-changing ideas that enhance our lives and help us stay safer and healthier.

Introduce Your Students to Some of Our Newest Inductees

Our 2026 Inductees are real-life superheroes – fearless innovators who use design thinking, creative problem solving and persistence to make the world a better place. These relatable inventors help students view themselves as innovators and world changers. Journey alongside these heroes of innovation, spotlighting their stories and using their inspiring lessons to ignite students’ passion for STEM.

Louis Argenta

Louis Argenta, a plastic surgeon, and Michael Morykwas, a biomedical engineer, invented a revolutionary medical device – Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.). This invention applies gentle suction to a wound to reduce infections while helping the wound to heal. The V.A.C. has been used to help millions of patients. For over 30 years, Argenta and his whole family have gone on medical missions to provide many different treatments around the world.

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Michael Morykwas

Biomedical engineer Michael Morykwas and plastic surgeon Louis Argenta co-invented Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.). This amazing medical device applies gentle suction to a wound to help it heal while preventing infections. The V.A.C. has helped millions of people who had serious wounds, all over the world. Morykwas and Argenta also are working on devices for safely treating brain and heart injuries.

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Sara Blakely

Sara Blakely created the SPANX® brand. She chose the Spanx name in part for its funny sound, and it since has become a household name for shapewear, or undergarments that give a smooth look under clothes. Founded using $5,000 of Blakely’s own money, the brand is now worth more than $1 billion! Blakely contributes to many important causes and is an inspiring role model for future entrepreneurs.

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Gebisa Ejeta

Gebisa Ejeta made a major difference for the world’s food supply. He experienced hunger during his childhood in Ethiopia, and when he grew up, he wanted to help others in need. Ejeta made hybrid versions of sorghum — a grain that millions of people depend on for food. Ejeta’s sorghum hybrids can resist droughts (long periods without rain) and disease, so farmers can produce more of this very important grain.

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Teresa Meng

Teresa Meng is an inspiring electrical engineer and entrepreneur who wanted everyone to be able to use Wi-Fi (a wireless connection to the internet). She figured out how to combine many important parts onto one tiny computer chip, and because of her creativity and perseverance, people can now access the internet faster, at a lower cost and without a wire!

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Henry Samueli

Henry Samueli is an electrical engineer who helped make it possible for people to communicate over super-fast internet connections. He co-founded Broadcom, a company that creates computer chips that are found in many different devices, like smartphones and laptops, helping to make the internet faster, easier and more affordable for us to use. Samueli also has made many donations to support universities and STEM education programs.

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Feng Zhang

To improve our health, Feng Zhang has developed technologies for making changes to DNA — the molecule that carries our genetic information. He engineered CRISPR-Cas9 systems to edit DNA in cells. Zhang engineered this system to work like a search function in a digital document, helping scientists to find and fix problems in our genes. Zhang has started companies to help people use his technologies to diagnose and treat diseases.

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Check Out These Inventor-Inspired Activities