Want to Learn More About Great Inventors? Here’s What to Read or Watch

With more than 600 Inductees to explore – and more amazing inventors inducted every year – the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® is an unmatched source for innovative role models and inspiring stories. This season, as you look for some good books or a fascinating documentary to enjoy on a cozy evening in, why not check out the recommendations below? From books to videos, you’re sure to find a compelling way to learn more about a favorite inventor.

What to Read

If you’re searching for some fun books to share with kids, we’ve got a few great ideas.

• For an uplifting look at the work of Inductee Dr. Patricia Bath, pick up “Patricia's Vision: The Doctor Who Saved Sight” by Michelle Lord. This book about the inventor of laserphaco cataract surgery and founder of the discipline of community ophthalmology is sure to inspire readers of all ages.
   
• “The Brilliant Calculator: How Mathematician Edith Clarke Helped Electrify America” by Jan Lower combines a captivating story with intriguing illustrations to celebrate Inductee Edith Clarke, the pioneering electrical engineer who invented the graphical calculator.
   
• To learn about the inventor behind a bestselling toy, read “Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions” by Chris Barton. Sure to bring out the kid (and the innovator) in everyone, this book tells the story of Inductee Lonnie Johnson, the NASA research engineer and entrepreneur who invented the Super Soaker^®!
   

For adults who want a more in-depth look at the life of a legendary inventor, here are a couple of outstanding options.

• Check out “Lightning Strikes: Timeless Lessons in Creativity from the Life and Work of Nikola Tesla” by John F. Wasik for some inspiration. You’ll learn about the ingenuity and impact of Inductee Nikola Tesla, whose hundreds of inventions include the electro-magnetic motor.
   
• “Brilliant!: Shuji Nakamura and the Revolution in Lighting Technology” by Bob Johnstone is another enlightening choice. Inductee Shuji Nakamura invented blue, green and white LEDs, as well as the blue laser diode, making an impact in communication and information, healthcare, energy and the environment.

What to Watch

Looking for films or videos that feature Our Nation’s Greatest Innovators^™? Here are a few we recommend adding to your watch list.

• “The Sun Queen,” a new film in the “American Experience” documentary series from PBS, gives an illuminating look into the impact of Inductee Mária Telkes. With inventions including solar thermal storage systems and a solar distillation device, Telkes was an early leader among women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and a pioneer in sustainable energy.
   
• Also part of the “American Experience” series, “The Secret of Tuxedo Park” tells the story of how Inductee Alfred L. Loomis, with the help of a team of scientists at his personal laboratory, developed LORAN (long-range navigation). This radio navigation system, which allowed marine or flight navigators to determine a vessel's location, made a significant impact during World War II and beyond.
   
• For insightful videos that only the National Inventors Hall of Fame could bring you, check out our YouTube playlist. You’ll find one-of-a-kind videos featuring Inductees like Marian Croak, inventor of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology; Rory Cooper, inventor of wheelchair technology; Rebecca Richards-Kortum, inventor of medical devices for low-resource settings; and Luis von Ahn, co-inventor of CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test for telling Computers and Humans Apart), inventor of reCAPTCHA and co-founder of the language learning app Duolingo.

Explore More World-Changing Inventors

Visit our website and search through our Inductee database to read up on many more influential creators and innovators.