National Inventors' Day
National Inventors’ Day, celebrated every year on February 11, is dedicated to the curious minds including the inventors of the past, the creators of the present, and the architects of the future who changed how the world works, one idea at a time.
Every time your phone unlocks with a tap, your food stays fresh longer in the fridge, or your car stops smoothly at a red light, you’re benefitting from an inventor’s idea even if you never stop to think about it!
A Brief History of National Inventors’ Day: Why February 11
National Inventors’ Day was officially established in 1983 when U.S. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed February 11 as the day of celebration.
The date was chosen because February 11 marks the birthday of Thomas Alva Edison, one of the most influential inventors in history. Edison held over 1,000 patents and played a key role in developing inventions like the practical electric light bulb, the phonograph, and early motion picture technology.
Since then, February 11 has become a symbolic reminder of how innovation fuels progress.
Inventions That Quietly Changed the World
Not all revolutionary inventions are flashy. Some are small, simple, and unbelievably powerful in their impact.
- Elevators (Elisha Otis): Made vertical cities possible and transformed urban living.
- Coffee filters (Melitta Bentz): Turned bitter coffee into a smooth daily ritual. Brentz was a frustrated housewife from Dresden who got fed up with its bitter taste.
- Rubber bands (Stephen Perry): A tiny invention with endless uses.
- Bubble gum (Walter Diemer): An accidental delight that became a global treat.
Accidental Inventions That Became Essential
Some of the most impactful inventions weren’t planned at all.
- Microwave oven (Percy Spencer): Discovered when radar equipment melted a candy bar in an engineer’s pocket.
- Penicillin (Alexander Fleming): Found when Alexander Fleming noticed mold killing bacteria.
- Sticky Notes (Spencer Silver and Art Fry): Born from a “failed” weak adhesive.
- Bubble wrap (Alfred Fielding & Marc Chavannes): Originally designed as textured wallpaper.
Celebrate National Inventors Day
1. Do a 'Reverse Invention' Challenge
Pick an everyday object such as a zipper, charger, pressure cooker, or traffic signal and break it down:
- What problem was it solving?
- How did people live before it existed?
- Can you imagine a better version today?
This trains the brain to think like an inventor: not just using things, but questioning them.
2. Invent a Tiny Solution to a Daily Problem
Not every invention has to be revolutionary. Start small:
- A better way to organize cables
- A smarter bookmark
- A reusable kitchen hack or maybe
- A study or work productivity tool
Sketch it on paper- no engineering degree required. Many inventions start as simple drawings.
3. Build Things by Hand
Invention includes building as well. Building things like simple furniture, DIY water filters, something with cardboard boxes and so on is a very interesting way to make inventions feel fun and accessible.
You might like to read these articles next:
