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Hats off to Inventors! National Inventors' Month August
by Joanne Hayes-Rines, Publisher, Inventors' Digest; Vice President, AAS; Vice President, United Inventors Association
What image does the word "inventor" conjure up? Most people envision a Rube Goldberg character or the crazy scientist from the movie, "Back to the Future." It's a man, an old white man, with frizzed-out hair and a garage full of gadgets, gizmos and thingamabobs. The word "inventor" does not generate the mental image of a person working on a product or technology that improves the way we live. It does not turn the imagination to a picture of a woman, a black man or a young person. Adhering to the theory that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," the Academy joined forces with two other powerhouse organizations in 1998 to create a national event that is putting a positive face on the global image of inventors.
National Inventors' Month August created by the Academy, Inventors' Digest, and the United Inventors Association (UIA) is one of our answers to the problem of the perennially negative image of inventors. Starting as a media event in 1998, National Inventors' Month has grown to include a very grassroots program-a nationwide library display program aimed at kids.
The "invention triumvirate" is creating great-looking, information-packed displays that portray a positive image of inventors and their contributions. The immediate goal: 8,000 libraries highlighting National Inventors' Month. The long-term goal: Kids add the word "inventor" to their "what-I-want-to-be-when-I-grow-up" list. This grassroots idea is funded by a grassroots, "pass the hat" fund raising program. Based on last year's costs, we estimate that it will cost $12.25 per library to design, print and distribute the displays.
We invite you to be part of this great program and support one library ($12.25) or ten libraries ($120.25) or 100 libraries ($1225.00). No contribution is too small. One display in one library will reach hundreds of kids plus their parents and their teachers. Send your tax-free donation payable to the Academy of Applied Science to: Inventors' Digest, 30-31 Union Wharf, Boston, MA 02109.
We hope you'll decide to join us in this effort you could just be changing tomorrow. Librarians: Request a display for your library at http://www.inventorsdigest.com/