Let’s Talk Influential Inventors

The world is a little brighter thanks to incredible inventions and the vibrant personalities behind them. At the top of this list are our Hall of Famers, who have changed the planet by being their awesome, innovative selves. As you ponder the influencers who have made our lives more exciting, keep reading to meet three inspiring National Inventors Hall of Fame^® inventors and their most notable creations!

Hedy Lamarr

Actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr was best known for starring in classic films like “Ziegfeld Girl” during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Alongside the glitz and glamour of life on the big screen, Lamarr was a talented inventor with impressive knowledge of weapons systems. She worked with composer (and fellow Hall of Famer) George Antheil to invent a frequency hopping technique that made important contributions to the field of wireless communications. Patented in 1942, Lamarr and Antheil’s invention was used to reduce the risk of detection or jamming of radio-controlled torpedoes.

William Stanley Jr.

William Stanley Jr., a self-taught electrical engineer, was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for designing the induction coil, which he patented in 1886. It was the first practical transformer creating alternating current (AC) electricity – making the widespread use of electricity possible. But did you know he also invented the trendy thermoses that are still loved today? It’s true! Stanley discovered a way to keep coffee hot throughout the day using a double-walled, vacuum-sealed bottle made entirely of steel. To market his thermoses, he co-founded Stanley Insulating Co., known today as the trusted brand Stanley.

Luis von Ahn

Computer scientist Luis von Ahn became a Hall of Famer in 2023 for co-inventing CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test for telling Computers and Humans Apart) and then creating reCAPTCHA, a website security solution that thwarts bots while also helping to digitize books. After selling reCAPTCHA to Google, von Ahn co-founded Duolingo and dedicated himself to enabling people of all social classes to access learning opportunities. Duolingo’s online platform is the world’s most popular way to learn languages! If you’ve ever given the platform a try, you may recognize the company mascot, Duo – a green bird with a huge personality that is popular on social media platforms like the company’s TikTok.

More Awesome Innovators

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