Tour the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum Exhibits
American innovation is always evolving — and so is the National Inventors Hall of Fame® 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 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.
2025 Class of Inductees
Meet the newest class of Inductees, recognized in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Learn about the work of creators and innovators like Pamela Marrone, the inventor and entrepreneur behind biological pest control solutions; Kerrie Holley, who invented service-oriented architecture; and Richard Schatz, one of the inventors of the Palmaz-Schatz coronary stent.
Programs Room
Redefining what a Hall of Fame can be and do, we reach beyond the walls of our museum to inspire the next generation of creators, innovators and entrepreneurs. The 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 Inductees.
Hall of Fame Legends
Enjoy an exclusive look into extraordinary lives as you watch National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees tell their stories in their own words. Created in partnership with the USPTO, this inspiring video series shines a light on legendary inventors including:
- Frances Arnold, the Nobel Prize winner who pioneered the directed evolution of enzymes
- Garrett Brown, who invented the Oscar-winning Steadicam® camera stabilizer
- Eric R. Fossum, inventor of the miniaturized camera technology known as the CMOS active pixel image sensor camera-on-a-chip
- Art Fry, co-inventor of one of the country’s bestselling office products: Post-it® Notes
- Steve Sasson, who changed the future of photography when he invented the digital camera
- Jim West, who advanced the sound industry with his co-invention of the electret microphone
Women in Innovation
Witness powerful interviews with current and future leaders in STEM when you visit this exhibit sponsored by Qualcomm. As you learn about lifesaving breakthroughs and world-changing inventions, you’ll see how greater participation in our intellectual property system contributes to the innovation economy.
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 National Inventors Hall of Fame 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 compares Ford Mustang models from 1965 and 2015 to see and feel the evolution of automotive design and technology. 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, made possible by the USPTO and International Trademark Association. See artifacts showing the evolution of brands like Carhartt, Hershey’s and Major League Baseball, try to tell the difference between genuine and counterfeit products, and test your knowledge with interactive trademark games.
Inside the Induction
Discover how the National Inventors Hall of Fame welcomes a new class of world-changing inventors each year, with unforgettable ceremonies and a meaningful medal. You’ll see the annual Induction events mark just the beginning of each inventor’s journey as an Inductee, as they inspire, inform and become actively involved in education programs that empower the next generation.
Plus, you can step behind the podium and into the innovation spotlight to capture photos as a future Inductee!
Don't Miss Our Limited-Time Exhibits
Historical Patent Storage
Have you ever wondered how patents have been stored through the years? Today, patents can be found online, but for many years, paper copies of patents were stored in specially made cabinets. Here’s your chance to see an original patent cabinet and learn about its history.
Invention: The Sky is the Limit
Feel the rush of a virtual skydive! Inspired by 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.
The following sponsors help make our museum exhibits possible:
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Qualcomm
International Trademark Association (INTA)
