Tour the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum Exhibits
American innovation is always evolving — and so is the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF) Museum. Celebrating hundreds of exceptional U.S. patent holders and welcoming a new class of Inductees each year, our museum offers dynamic exhibits and interactive experiences designed to ignite the innovative spirit in visitors of all ages.
Experience Our Inspiring Core Exhibits
Gallery of Icons
Begin your visit with the Gallery of Icons™, where you’ll see an extraordinary display of icons commemorating each of the more than 600 NIHF Inductees we’ve welcomed since our founding in 1973. Hung in a tessellating hexagon pattern inspired by honeycombs and organized by patent number, this is a stunning visual representation of the history of American innovation.
2022 Class of Inductees
Meet our latest class of Hall of Famers, inducted in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Learn about the exceptional contributions of innovators such as Margaret Wu, inventor of synthetic lubricants; Lonnie Johnson, inventor of the Super Soaker®; R. Rox Anderson, inventor of laser dermatology; and Marian Croak, inventor of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology.
Programs Room
Redefining what a Hall of Fame can be and do, NIHF reaches beyond the walls of our museum to inspire the next generation of creators, innovators and entrepreneurs. The NIHF Programs Room introduces visitors to our nationwide learning opportunities for PreK through college, designed to unlock creative potential through hands-on exploration and valuable lessons from our Hall of Famers.
Inductee Video Room
For the inside story of innovation, step into the Inductee Video Room. See unique interviews with some of the world’s greatest inventors and get a glimpse into our Hall of Famers’ personal stories, in their own words.
Women in Innovation
Witness powerful interviews with women and girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) when you visit this exhibit sponsored by Qualcomm. You’ll learn about life-saving breakthroughs and inventions through American history and how greater diversity in patenting contributes to the innovation economy.
Breaking Barriers: Honoring Extraordinary Black Inventors
Reflect on the stories of NIHF Inductees and more barrier-breaking innovators who have shaped our country and our world. As you journey through this exhibit, you’ll find visionaries including Hall of Famer Thomas Jennings, who invented the dry-scouring dry cleaning method and became the first Black inventor to be awarded a U.S. patent, and Madam C.J. Walker, the inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist who was one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire.
Champions of Innovation
Meet the team of inventors behind the revolutionary Jogbra®: the world’s first sports bra. 2022 Inductees Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller and Polly Smith removed a barrier to women’s participation in athletics, advanced women’s health and launched a global industry. This exhibit explores their lasting impact and tells the story of the Champion brand, giving women the confidence and support to play by their own rules.
100 Years of the Hard Hat
Look back on more than a century of safety. See the impact of 2022 Inductee Edward W. Bullard, inventor of the hard hat, and learn how the Bullard Co. continues to lead the way in manufacturing equipment designed to protect workers worldwide.
Connectivity Changes Everything
Trace the evolution of wireless technology from the breakthroughs that power your smartphone to the everything-connected world of 5G at this exhibit sponsored by Qualcomm. You’ll see how NIHF Inductees, including Qualcomm co-founders Irwin Jacobs and Andrew Viterbi and actress-inventor Hedy Lamarr, contributed to a more connected world.
50 Years of Automotive Design and Technology
Climb inside a car that merges Ford Mustang models from 1965 and 2015 to see and feel the evolution of automotive design and technology. Sponsored by Ford Motor Co., this one-of-a-kind, interactive exhibit showcases 50 years of iconic innovation.
The Power of Trademarks
Discover the value of intellectual property when you visit this exhibit sponsored by the International Trademark Association (INTA). There is no better way to learn what trademark protection has meant for the brands you know and trust.
Don't Miss Our Limited-Time Exhibits
Invention: The Sky is the Limit
Feel the rush of a virtual skydive! Inspired by 2022 Inductee Floyd Smith, the daring trapeze artist and aviator who invented the modern parachute, this exhilarating exhibit gives you the chance to experience a freefall, deploy a parachute and enjoy a safe landing.
Kiva Robot
See one of the robots that make up the world’s first mobile robotic warehouse order fulfillment system, developed by 2022 Inductees Mick Mountz, Peter Wurman and Raffaello D’Andrea. Now the intelligent backbone of Amazon’s order fulfillment system, their invention started a wave of robotics automation throughout the material handling world.
The Super Soaker Prototype
Be sure to check out the Super Soaker® prototype created by 2022 Inductee Lonnie Johnson. An engineer who has designed systems for space exploration and developed energy technologies, Johnson brought his innovative spirit to an unexpected industry when he created one of the world’s bestselling toys.
The following sponsors help make our museum exhibits possible:
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Qualcomm
Champion
International Trademark Association
Bullard
Society of Women Engineers
Linda Silver
