Seven inventors to be inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame

The National Inventors Hall of Fame will honor the 28th class of inductees at a formal black-tie ceremony, hosted by noted actor Danny Glover, at its world class museum on Saturday, September 9, 2000.

The accomplishments of these inductees range from the revolution of the personal computer, the clarity of sound and music on the radio and the art of animation and film as we know it today to a breakthrough medical test for diabetics and the refinement of metals that produce quality-of-life materials that range from high-purity glass to artificial joints and golf clubs.

This year's inductees are: Walt Disney, Reginald Fessenden, Alfred Free, Helen Murray Free, J. Franklin Hyde, William Kroll and Steve Wozniak. Ms. Free and Mr. Wozniak will attend the ceremony while the remaining five inductees will be honored posthumously by selected representatives.

The inventions that earned each inductee a place in the Hall of Fame include:

Walt Disney's multiplane camera, which yielded richer animation and was first used for an animated full-length feature with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Reginald Fessenden's wireless radio communication, which utilized heterodyne principles in combining radio waves to transmit voice and music and led eventually to the radio broadcasting industry of today.

Alfred and Helen Murray Frees' dip-and-read test for urinalysis, which allowed for easy self-testing of glucose levels by diabetic patients and paved the way for further dip-and-read testing.

J. Franklin Hyde's fused silica and silicones. Fused silica is ultra-pure, high-quality glass used in fiber optics, spacecraft windows, telescope mirrors and precision lenses for manufacturing. Silicones are polymers derived from silicon and other elements, which are used in high-temperature electrical insulation, gaskets, caulks, seals, lubricants and hydraulic fluids.

William Kroll's titanium and zirconium processing, which enabled these elements to be produced in a metallic state. Titanium's wide-ranging applications include artificial joints, aerospace technology, denture bases, golf clubs, wheelchairs and watches. Zirconium's applications include jet engines, surgical instruments, fiber optics, radar equipment and nuclear reactors.

Steve Wozniak's Apple II personal computer, which brought together the central processing unit (CPU), the keyboard and the disk drive in an affordable unit complete with color and graphic capabilities.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation Selection Committee, comprised of representatives from national scientific and technical organizations, votes each year to select the most qualified inventors whose patented inventions best contribute to the nation's welfare and promote the progress of science and useful arts.

The induction ceremony is the culmination of a series of events entitled 'Celebrating What's Next.' "This is a celebration of seven super minds who have greatly contributed to the country's welfare and promoted the progress of science," says Thomas E. Smith, president of the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation. "While we honor these men and women for what they have accomplished, we also must keep our eyes on what lies ahead through our mission to foster the entrepreneurial and inventive spirit.

"To that end, the National Inventors Hall of Fame will also host the Collegiate Inventors Competition, which recognizes cutting-edge, college-aged inventors who have the talent and drive that may one day earn them the honor we are bestowing on this year's National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees. And, many of our past inductees will return to Akron to participate in school visits that encourage young minds to dream, create and invent."

A conference about intellectual property law, a series of luncheons featuring guest speakers and a live web chat with past and present inductees will also round out the four-day celebration.

All inductees are honored through a permanent exhibit at the National Inventors Hall of Fame facility. Opening its doors to the public in 1995, the museum has welcomed more than 700,000 visitors to open their minds to the innovative exhibits and programs that honor and celebrate the inventions of all 158 National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees.