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Roll Out the Old… Bring in the Sound!
In Draper Spark!Lab, we will change the theme of our activities every four months to keep things fresh and the invention process constantly humming along. November 2015 will be our first transition...
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A Movie Star, Some Player Pianos, and Torpedoes
Hedy Lamarr in 1948. Courtesy of Wikipedia.Actress Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000) would have turned 101 on November 9th. In honor of her birthday, Google launched an animated Google Doodle of her life...
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Roll Aboard!
As I finish packing for my vacation, I’ve been thinking a lot about the large and small ways in which travel has changed, including the increasing number of gadgets and other conveniences taken for...
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Why Do It?
I have one of the most fun jobs anyone could have. I get to make hands on activities that engage people, particularly kids age 6-12, in the process and history of invention. I also have the challenging...
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Seeing the Future at the New York World’s Fair
In 1939, 12-year-old Edward J. Orth (1927-1989) of Queens, NY, went to the New York World’s Fair with his class from Public School 136. The next summer, in 1940, Orth returned to the Fair determined to...
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Curiosity and Invention
In a recent Harris Poll of US workers, only some 22 percent described themselves as curious at work, while 66 percent reported facing barriers to asking more questions, and a meager 12 percent of...
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Spark!Lab: A Year in Review
As 2015 draws to a close, year-in-review lists flood the news. We read about the year’s most notable people, best books, biggest stories (and scandals), and even the coolest inventions. As I do my own...
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'Joy's' Process of Inventing
Jennifer Lawrence, the 25-year-old Academy Award-winning actor, plays the inventor Joy Mangano in the new movie “Joy.” As a part of the team here at the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and...
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What Now?: Inventing in a Changing Climate
Science City staff. Courtesy of Science City.At Kansas City’s science center, Science City, guests learn about fossil fuel emissions, water conservation, and sustainable energy. While these exhibits...
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Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Laurel Miller
Draper Spark!Lab opened July 1, 2015 as part of the unveiling of the 1West Innovation Wing at the National Museum of American History. Since then, members of Spark!Lab Floor Staff have been working...
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The Great Connector Quest
All of these different connectors have been tested in Spark!Lab.Brightly colored wires tipped with connectors of all sorts are not uncommon in Spark!Lab. When Draper Spark!Lab opened on July 1, 2015,...
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Voting for All
On February 11, 2016 the Lemelson Center hosted school groups for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Public Science Day. The students came to the National Museum of American...
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A Heartfelt Story
AED sign. Image by Carnby via Wikimedia CommonsIt's December 12th. A 53-year-old man and his family are at Pennsylvania Station after spending a fun-filled day taking in the holiday sights in New York...
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Hollywood Geek Fest—The Oscars Side Party
Hollywood’s glitterati will turn out tonight to celebrate themselves and the motion picture industry at the 88th Academy Awards. Millions of viewers around the world will watch movie stars strut down...
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Boxed Up
I like boxes. They’re useful for containing, organizing, and moving “stuff.” Sometimes they hide the “stuff” you don’t want seen. Boxes can also be tempting. Who can resist not opening a box to...
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Creative Problem Solving at Work
Sitting at my office desk one recent Thursday, I received an unusual call around 4 p.m. from my colleague Zach Etsch, a lead facilitator in Spark!Lab. He asked: “Do you have a key to the Hartford...
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America Participates in Innovation – 1800s
During 2016, the National Museum of American History has adopted “America Participates” as its theme. Naturally, my own thoughts have turned to how Americans have participated in innovation, both...
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Strategic Planning for an Innovative Organization
I had the good fortune to join the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation in August 2015 as only the second director in its 20 year history. Arriving just as the Center opened a...
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Spark!Lab Staff Spotlight: Tim Pula
Tim Pula, the second Spark!Lab team member featured in our Staff Spotlight, is the Interpretive Exhibits Coordinator. His Spark!Lab tenure began in June of last year. Responsible for creating,...
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Pumped Up
Surveys of collection backlogs are common place in the archival profession. Many repositories undertake them, using various methodologies and with varying results. I’m presently in the midst of such a...
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