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Places of Invention

Places of Invention is an ongoing, multifaceted research project at the Lemelson Center. Our studies show that "place," which we define as a unique combination of geography, resources, and talent, often plays an important role in supporting invention and innovation. What kind of place stimulates creative minds and sparks a surge of invention and innovation? To find out, start exploring here.

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Screenshot of pins on Places of Invention interactive map
Places of Invention

Explore the Places of Invention Interactive Map

Have you ever wondered where LEGO was invented? How about the electric guitar? Or penicillin? Or the Mars rover? Find these stories and more on our interactive map. And add your own story about a place of invention, too!

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Places of Invention

Seeing the Future at the New York World’s Fair

Edward J. Orth began collecting World's Fair memorabilia at age 12. Take a little peek into his motivation and collection.

A case in the 1996 electric guitar exhibition
Places of Invention

Twenty Years of Exhibitions at the Lemelson Center

Having worked on Lemelson Center exhibitions for 20 years, I've learned a few things. What topic should we tackle next?

An illustration of the interior of the Colt Armory
Places of Invention

Touring the Precision Valley

Having studied the Springfield Armory and Colt Armory in my research, it was thrilling to literally follow in the footsteps of the machinists I’d seen in historic renderings and photographs, some more than 100 years old, while on a tour of New England's Precision Valley.

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Places of Invention

Saying Goodbye to Columbia House

Columbia House introduced me to some of my favorite bands. Now, the music distribution innovator is no more.

U-Sketch pick your color green orange blue lavender purple black

Story Tags

  • Agriculture and horticulture (Relevance: 28%)
  • Air and space (Relevance: 18.666666666667%)
  • Computers (Relevance: 25.333333333333%)
  • DIY/Maker Movement (Relevance: 17.333333333333%)
  • Environment (Relevance: 15.333333333333%)
  • Food (Relevance: 14.666666666667%)
  • Food and drink (Relevance: 100%)
  • Household technology (Relevance: 26.666666666667%)
  • Industry and manufacturing (Relevance: 24.666666666667%)
  • Materials science (Relevance: 14.666666666667%)
  • Medicine, health, and life sciences (Relevance: 45.333333333333%)
  • Music (Relevance: 34%)
  • Pets and other animals (Relevance: 16.666666666667%)
  • Photography, film, television, and video (Relevance: 14.666666666667%)
  • Places of Invention (Relevance: 37.333333333333%)
  • Safety and security (Relevance: 16.666666666667%)
  • Sports (Relevance: 36.666666666667%)
  • Telegraph, telephone, and telecommunications (Relevance: 14.666666666667%)
  • Textiles and clothing (Relevance: 21.333333333333%)
  • Transportation (Relevance: 48.666666666667%)
  • Women inventors (Relevance: 18%)
Higgins Industries shop floor. Courtesy of The National WWII Museum
Places of Invention

Birth of a Slogan: the Higgins Worker

Over 20,000 individuals contributed to WWII through their work at Higgins Industries.

10,000th Boat Ceremony, July 23, 1944. Courtesy of The National WWII Museum
Places of Invention

D-Day in New Orleans: July 1944

On July 22, 1944, Higgins Industries staged a reenactment of the landings on the beaches of Normandy that took place not even two months earlier.

Students during The National WWII Museum’s STEM Field Trip. Courtesy of The National WWII Museum
Places of Invention

A Stable of Geniuses: Ideas Win the War

The special STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) field trip for middle and high school students at The National WWII Museum focuses on science and technology of WWII.

New Belgium Brewery's Kim Jordan
Places of Invention

Invention Hot Spot: Campus and City Combine Their Energies for a Greener Planet in Fort Collins, Colorado

Inventors in Fort Collins are tackling environmental problems by creating clean, sustainable alternatives to existing energy sources. Their solutions promise to improve the quality of life for all of us.

Prototype of the first computer mouse
Places of Invention

What Do the Bronx, Silicon Valley, and a Colorado College Town Have in Common?

"Places of Invention" opens in just a few weeks! Get a preview of the six case studies--and find out a way that you can add your own story.

Natalie Kalmus behind the camera
Places of Invention

A Little Story about the Big Screen

The "Places of Invention" interactive map offers a great opportunity to share stories both epic and personal.

Example of Eastman Kodak's two-color Kodachrome process of the 1910s and 20s
Places of Invention

Invention Hot Spot: Technicolor Sets the Scene

The Ruby Slippers worn by 16-year-old Judy Garland during the filming of "The Wizard of Oz" are among the most popular and treasured artifacts at the Museum. How did they get that rich ruby color?

Screenshot of pins on Places of Invention interactive map
Places of Invention

Tell Us Your Places of Invention Stories!

Know about a place of invention where you live? Add it to the Places of Invention interactive map! Or explore places that other people have shared. The world is an inventive place!

Little Benny and the Masters (Rory "DC" Felton on saxophone and MeShell Ndegeocello on bass) at the Metro Club, 1986. Photograph by Thomas Sayers Ellis, used with permission.
Places of Invention

Go-Go, the Funky, Percussive Music Invented in Washington, D.C.

Go-go music--known for its syncopated beats and pioneered by Chuck Brown--was born in D.C. in the 1970s. Here's its story.

Troops approaching Omaha Beach in an LCVP on June 6, 1944. National Archives Image.
Places of Invention

Brought to You from New Orleans: Jazz, Mardi Gras, and Amphibious Invasions

Jazz, Bourbon Street, and Mardi Gras are all well-known, recognizable symbols of the melting pot that is New Orleans. The National WWII Museum showcases another product of New Orleans—“Higgins boats.”

A historical photo of the USDA offices in Peoria
Places of Invention

Taking it to the Nation! The Places of Invention Affiliates Project

Smithsonian Affiliates use invention and innovation as a transformative lens for understanding local history, cultivating creativity, and engaging communities.

The entry sign to Places of Invention being installed
Places of Invention

Inventing an Exhibition, Part 4 (of 4)

The clock is ticking down as exhibition installation starts soon. It’s been a long road but we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and look forward to sharing this exhibition with the public!

Aerial photo of AT&T's sprawling 472-acre campus for Bell Labs in suburban Holmdel, NJ.
Places of Invention

The Rise of Innovation Districts

In their report, "The Rise of Innovation Districts: A New Geography of Innovation in America," Bruce Katz and Julie Wagner trace what they call “a remarkable shift…in the spatial geography of innovation” away from the suburbs and back to cities.

A grand arch spanning the town’s main street welcomes all to Golden.
Places of Invention

Made in Golden

The state of Colorado has no shortage of breathtaking, jaw-dropping locations. In my home state over the holidays, I rediscovered Golden, a town not only full of scenic vistas, but also packed with nuggets of invention.

Manny Villafana
Places of Invention

Be Still, My Heart: Behind the Scenes in the Cardiac Collections

A group of small archival boxes lay nestled together, each holding a cardiac pacemaker or valve. "It's like being a kid in a candy store," exclaimed inventor Manny Villafaña.

See More Stories

VIEW 2720 Matching Results

Found 2720 Stories

  • Agriculture and horticulture (Relevance: 5.2205882352941%)
  • Air and space (Relevance: 6.7647058823529%)
  • Archives@NMAH (Relevance: 8.4191176470588%)
  • Chemistry (Relevance: 3.0882352941176%)
  • Food and drink (Relevance: 3.2352941176471%)
  • Industry and manufacturing (Relevance: 7.5367647058824%)
  • Medicine, health, and life sciences (Relevance: 4.5955882352941%)
  • Military technology (Relevance: 3.3455882352941%)
  • Mining and drilling (Relevance: 3.4191176470588%)
  • Patents and trademarks (Relevance: 11.397058823529%)
  • Photography, film, television, and video (Relevance: 3.8602941176471%)
  • Power generation, motors, and engines (Relevance: 3.4558823529412%)
  • Spark!Lab (Relevance: 3.5294117647059%)
  • Textiles and clothing (Relevance: 3.3823529411765%)
  • Transportation (Relevance: 5.9926470588235%)
  • Women inventors (Relevance: 3.2352941176471%)
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