National Inventors Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Inductees, Celebrating American Innovation
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The National Inventors Hall of Fame will honor fifteen groundbreaking innovators—whose creations span from life-saving medical devices to ubiquitous wireless technology—at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on May 7, 2026.
The 2026 class of inductees, announced January 31, 2026, represents a diverse range of fields and a legacy of impactful inventions. In partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Hall of Fame will recognize these pioneers at “The Largest Celebration of American Innovation®,” a premier event in the innovation industry.
“The USPTO is deeply honored to recognize the inspiration behind these incredible visionaries,” stated John A. Squires, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “Their advances have improved lives, driven economic growth, and upheld the American freedoms our founders envisioned.”
Pioneering Contributions: A Look at the Class of 2026
The 2026 class includes both celebrated figures and posthumous honors for inventors whose contributions laid the groundwork for modern technologies. Here’s a closer look at some of the inductees:
- Louis Argenta and Michael Morykwas: These innovators co-invented Vacuum Assisted Closure® (V.A.C.®), a medical device utilizing controlled suction to accelerate wound healing. VAC therapy has aided millions globally in treating complex wounds, including surgical incisions, diabetic ulcers, and burns.
- Sara Blakely: Blakely revolutionized the shapewear industry with her invention of SPANX® Shapewear. Starting with a $5,000 investment, she built a multi-million dollar company and became the youngest self-made female billionaire, inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Gebisa Ejeta: This plant geneticist developed high-yield, drought- and disease-resistant sorghum hybrids, significantly increasing food production in Africa and worldwide.
- Teresa Meng: Meng’s work revolutionized Wi-Fi technology, making it faster, more energy-efficient, and affordable. As founder of Atheros Communications, she pioneered the integration of communication functions onto a single CMOS chip.
- Henry Samueli: An electrical engineer, Samueli advanced broadband communications, enabling affordable, high-speed data transmission. He is a co-founder of Broadcom Inc., a global leader in wired and wireless communications.
- Feng Zhang: Zhang’s transformative technologies in CRISPR gene editing hold immense promise for improving human health. He demonstrated the first use of CRISPR-Cas9 systems for genome editing in human cells and has co-founded companies to commercialize these advancements.
- Donald Alstadt (Posthumous): Alstadt invented Chemlok Rubber to Metal Adhesive System®, a revolutionary adhesive used extensively in automotive, aerospace, and other industries. It is now found in nearly every vehicle worldwide.
- Olive Dennis (Posthumous): As a civil engineer for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Dennis significantly improved the comfort of railway passenger cars through decades of dedicated innovation.
- Frank S. Greene Jr. (Posthumous): A Silicon Valley pioneer, Greene developed high-speed semiconductor memory systems and dedicated himself to mentoring future STEM professionals.
- Maurus Logan (Posthumous): Logan invented Ty-Rap Cable Ties®, initially to improve safety and efficiency in the aviation industry. These ties have become a multi-billion dollar market segment used across countless applications.
- George Maison, Irving Porush and Charles Thiel (Posthumous): These inventors created the pressurized metered dose inhaler (MDI), a life-saving device for controlling asthma and improving the quality of life for hundreds of millions.
- Reuben Trane (Posthumous): Trane’s advancements in heating and cooling technologies established The Trane Co. as an industry leader, providing reliable comfort for homes and businesses for over a century.
Celebrating Innovation in the Nation’s Capital
The induction ceremony will be held at The Anthem in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2026, following a lighting ceremony at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum at USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, on May 6. Danica McKellar, acclaimed author, mathematician, and actress, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
“The National Inventors Hall of Fame is committed to illuminating the legacies of world-changing inventors and creating opportunities for the next generation,” said Monica Jones, Executive Director of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. “These inventors have made invaluable contributions to our daily lives.”
The event is sponsored by a consortium of organizations including the USPTO, The Amos E. Joel Young Inventors Fund, and several leading technology and engineering firms. Further details about the event can be found at https://www.invent.org/induction.
For biographies of each inductee, visit https://www.invent.org/inductees/new-inductees.
