Learn from the Inventors

Watch a young child examine something he or she has not seen before. Whether or not it was made to be tasted, heard, or shaken, the object will likely be explored with every sense. Inventors are people who retain and foster the curiosity and sense of exploration through which all of us first learned about our world. While some inventors learn their craft in academic settings, many develop their expertise through continual experimentation with their tools and materials.

The inventors featured here are notable for their lifelong curiosity and persistent problem solving. In some cases, as with Newman Darby, a single type of invention--individually piloted watercraft--has been the focus of a lifetime. For others, such as Garrett Morgan, wide-ranging interests led to a variety of inventions such as the gas mask and the first traffic signal with a “caution” sign. These inventors demonstrate a passion to improve, and improve some more.