The National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum (NIHF), in Akron Ohio, was founded in 1973 and honors the men and women inventors who are responsible for great technological advances. Each May, the museum honors its new class of inductees.
Update January, 2009 - The NIHF museum is currently closed for construction as they add a new science, math, and technology middle school to the complex. The museum is expected to re-open in mid-2010.
Update January, 2009 - The NIHF museum is currently closed for construction as they add a new science, math, and technology middle school to the complex. The museum is expected to re-open in mid-2010.
History:
The National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum was founded in 1973 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the National Council of Intellectual Property Law Association. Originally located in Washington D.C, the Hall of Fame moved to its current Akron located in 1995.
The Museum:
The Hall of Fame Museum features biographies and exhibits about all of the inductees as well as a variety of permanent interactive exhibits, including Fiber Optic, where visitors can experiment with color mixing, translucence, and composition in fiber optics; Make It Area, a workshop filled with invention-inspiring resources; and Kids Play, designed for children under 7 to experiment with gears, hydraulics, light, and sound.
In addition, the museum hosts a full schedule of temporary exhibits. Recent shows have included "Environmental Explorations" and "Psychology: it's More than you think!"
In addition, the museum hosts a full schedule of temporary exhibits. Recent shows have included "Environmental Explorations" and "Psychology: it's More than you think!"
Activities:
In addition to the exhibits, the National Inventors Hall of Fame sponsors a number of activities that embody the inventive spirit. Among these are Camp Invention, a summer program for kids; Club Invention, an out-of-school program for kids; and the Collegiate Inventors Competition.
The Inductees:
Each May, the National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees its new class of honorees, during a four-day celebration. In order to be eligible for induction, inventors must hold a US patent and the invention must have contributed to the welfare of mankind and have promoted the progress of science and the useful arts. There are currently 313 inductees.
Hours and Admission:
The Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 430pm. The Museum is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Day, July 4th, and Thanksgiving. It is also closed for four days in May for the Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies.
Admission is $8.75 for adults, $6.75 for children under 18, $7.75 for those 55 and older, and $29.00 for a family ticket.
Admission is $8.75 for adults, $6.75 for children under 18, $7.75 for those 55 and older, and $29.00 for a family ticket.
Contact Information:
National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum
221 S. Broadway
Akron, OH 44308-1505
330 762-4463
221 S. Broadway
Akron, OH 44308-1505
330 762-4463
Hotels near the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum:
Accommodations near the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum include the modern Radisson Inn (check rates), which features a roof-top pool and in-room Jacuzzi tubs.
Notable Ohio Inventors:
Among the Northeast Ohioans inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame are:
(Last updated 1-05-09)
Go to About.com Cleveland home page.
- Charles Brush -- arc light
- Thomas Alva Edison -- incandescent electric light
- Harvey Firestone -- pneumatic tire
- George Hulett -- Hulett loading and unloading machines
- Garrett Morgan -- inventor of the traffic light and gas mask
- Henry Timken -- roller bearings
- Alexander Winton -- contributions to automobile, bicycle, and diesel technology
(Last updated 1-05-09)
Go to About.com Cleveland home page.
