Each month, the USPTO seeks to inspire and encourage innovation by sharing relatable stories that chronicle the journeys of inventors and entrepreneurs. We shed light on where they got their start, the challenges they faced, and what it took to bring their ideas to fruition and their brands to life. The stories also emphasize the importance of creating and protecting intellectual property, and the critical role it plays in innovation.
Browse all stories below, or search for a name or story title.
Featured this month
How the Frankfurt sisters used fashion to empower women in the workplace
How Tanya Bryant started a family business after retirement Full Story >
Mentors and her first patent helped Tara, a member of the Choctaw Nation, realize her potential in STEM. Full Story >
How two parents built a coffee franchise and a recognizable brand to show the world how to be radically inclusive. Full Story >
A chemical engineer and entrepreneur uses artificial intelligence to help others develop greener chemicals Full Story >
How two brothers navigated their way from an idea to a business. Full Story >
Natalia Bilenko’s work invites non-scientists to participate in the future direction of AI. Full Story >
How Patricia Bath, physician and inventor, made it from Harlem to the Hall of Fame Full Story >
How Beulah Louise Henry became one of the most prolific and beloved inventors of the 20th century. Full Story >
16-year old Gitanjali Rao is on a mission to create global change by building a community of young innovators. Full Story >
With over 100 patents, Lanny Smoot turns the imaginary into reality. Full Story >
Doug Scott shares how real-world experiences inspire students and teachers alike to tap into their curiosity and creativity. Full Story >
How Samuel Leeds Allen invented and marketed an American classic, the Flexible Flyer sled. Full Story >
How George Gillespie, a Civil War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, redesigned and patented America's highest military award. Full Story >
How Debbie Sterling challenged the status quo in the toy industry and made STEM more accessible for girls. Full Story >
Johnny Pacheco founded Fania Records in 1964 and created the Latin music and dance sensation that came to be known, simply, as “salsa.” Full Story >
Audrey Sherman, a leading inventor of adhesives at 3M, shows what’s possible through persistence and collaboration. Full Story >
Kavita Shukla has made it her mission to eliminate food waste. Full Story >
Maude Adams, the most successful American actress of the early 20th century, invented a light bulb that helped actors everywhere shine as they never had before. Full Story >
How the co-founders of Kinnos learned from healthcare workers and developed a life-saving additive for disinfectants. Full Story >
An artist, puppeteer, and innovator, Jim Henson created the Muppets and forever changed the entertainment business. Full Story >
Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girls Scouts of the USA, created a lasting organization for women’s empowerment. Full Story >
Words of wisdom from a woman in STEM on how to encourage young innovators. Full Story >
Lex Monson, creator of Punkpost, delivers a new way for people to connect through handwritten greeting cards. Full Story >
Marissa Streng, inventor of the Puff-N-Fluff dog dryer, shares her experiences as a young innovator and entrepreneur. Full Story >
How Garrett Brown’s “habit of invention” revolutionized cinematography and could launch another revolution for the mobility impaired. Full Story >
Marian Croak is a pioneer in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and the inventor of text-to-donate technology. Full Story >
Inventor and entrepreneur Sangeeta Bhatia combines engineering, medicine, and biology to study, diagnose, and treat disease. Full Story >
Designed to decrease discomfort for female runners, the sports bra has become an athletic necessity as well as a modern fashion staple. Full Story >
A scientist makes inroads in chemistry and civil rights. Full Story >
How inventor and entrepreneur Martine Rothblatt learned to push past the idea of the impossible. Full Story >
How inventor and entrepreneur Floyd Smith made the skies safer for aviators. Full Story >
NASA environmental engineer Jackie Quinn and her team created an emulsion system that removes contaminants from our groundwater. Full Story >
How an IBM Master Inventor found her special gift in the world. Full Story >
Former NFL cornerback Shawn Springs tackles a new venture: impact protection. Full Story >
How a statistician's competitive spirit laid the groundwork for the modern census. Full Story >
Highly regarded as an acoustic scientist, inventor Jim West is also a devoted mentor and advocate of diversity in STEM. Full Story >
The one wire that connected us all. Full Story >
An accident changed Rory Cooper’s life and set him on a path to improving the well-being of people with mobility impairments. Full Story >
How Josephine Cochran defied social norms and invented the modern dishwasher. Full Story >
A trip to the farm changed Temple Grandin's life forever. Full Story >
How NASA's moon missions and a patented design led to a popular hand-held vacuum cleaner. Full Story >
For a young startup, the seeds of risk and reward were planted long ago. Full Story >
How a New Orleans inventor helped defeat the Nazis. Full Story >
In a crowded marketplace, intellectual property helps customers discover new tastes. Full Story >
Insights from the first American woman to win the Nobel prize in chemistry. Full Story >
How eight years of hard work led to the 'overnight success' of the Super Soaker®. Full Story >
Two trailblazing innovators share insights on science, life in the lab, and beyond. Full Story >
How one woman’s fortitude shaped agriculture and brought water to the American West. Full Story >
For the 1.2 billion people without electricity, one bright idea could change everything. Full Story >