The National Museum of American History contains many stories of innovation—and innovative things—that reflect the American peoples’ insatiable desire for game-changing ideas and new ways of doing things. From this page, you can discover resources online and in the Museum that tell some of these stories.

Explore Innovation at the National Museum of American History

New exhibitions, hands-on learning spaces, programs, and performances offer visitors multiple ways to explore stories of forward-looking innovations—innovations that are key to understanding the spirit of optimism that is such an important part of American history.

Also, learn more about this topic from the Museum's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.

Innovation

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From Our Blog

Black and white photo of Riker electric automobile parked outside. 
Will electric cars help save the environment? 

Seems like a no-brainer, right? Well, it turns out that is the kind of innovation and technology query that sends curators down a research rabbit hole.

A top-down view of the Magnavox controller showing off its faux-wood paneling, three dials, and instruction text: English, Horizontal, Reset, and Vertical. A thick beige cable is wrapped around the controller's base.
The Magnavox Odyssey predicted the future of video games

In September 1972, the Magnavox Odyssey appeared in American Magnavox stores, making it the first video game console that could be played at home with your television.

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