Invention and Exploration at the Smithsonian Institution

Host Alan Lowe continues AMSEcast’s exploration of 250 years of American innovation with Smithsonian experts Harold Wallace Jr., Dr. Eric Hintz, and Tim Pula. Together, they trace invention from Benjamin Franklin’s experiments to modern breakthroughs, highlighting the Smithsonian’s exhibitions, collections, and hands-on learning at Spark!Lab. The discussion spans collaboration with the Library of Congress, the role of failure in creativity, and how patents shape (but don’t define) innovation. The guests also reflect on nuclear technology’s history and social impact, and share how listeners can connect with the Lemelson Center and its nationwide Spark!Lab network inspiring inventors of all ages. Guest Bio Harold Wallace Jr., curator of the electricity collections, holds an MA and a PhD from the University of Maryland and specializes in the history of electric light and power. Dr. Eric Hintz, acting director of the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, earned his MA and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and curates exhibits on invention and creativity. Tim Pula, interpretive exhibits inventor for Spark!Lab, designs hands-on activities that inspire visitors of all ages to explore the process and spirit of invention. Show Highlights

• (3:13) How the Smithsonian shares Franklin’s contributions for the understanding of electricity and innovation
• (6:24) How the Lemelson Center uses examples of American inventors as part of their work and research
• (7:57) The back-and-forth of learning from shared collections
• (9:55) The inventions and ideas explored at Spark!Lab
• (11:08) The artifacts used to tell the Edison story
• (14:58) How failure factors into the discussion of innovation at the Lemelson Center
• (17:42) The processes inventors followed to become innovative in their fields
• (22:42) Patent models in the electrical collection of the Smithsonian Institute
• (26:11) How the Lemelson Center and Spark!Lab approaches the patent process
• (30:33) How the evolution of nuclear technology is represented
• (35:20) How to learn more about the offerings from the Smithsonian, Lemelson Center, and Spark! Lab

Links Referenced

• Wallops Station and the Creation of an American Space Program: https://www.amazon.com/Wallops-Station-Creation-American-Program/dp/1018138579
• Inventing for Sports: https://scholarlypress.si.edu/store/all/inventing-for-sports/
• American Independent Inventors in An Era of Corporate R&D: https://www.amazon.com/Independent-Inventors-Corporate-Invention-Innovation/dp/0262542587
• Does America Need More Innovators: https://www.amazon.com/America-Innovators-Lemelson-Invention-Innovation/dp/0262536730
• Lemelson Center: https://invention.si.edu
• Smithsonian main website: https://www.si.edu/
• American History Museum: https://americanhistory.si.edu/
• Smithsonian Collections Search Center: https://collections.si.edu