May is National Inventors Month, which means it’s time to celebrate the innovative creators that contributed to life as we know it today. From game-changing gadgets to life-saving breakthroughs, inventors have shaped every part of our world—and they’re still doing it every day.
Today let’s shout out some brilliant inventors—especially the women and modern day trailblazers who don’t always get the spotlight they deserve.
Dr. Shirley Jackson – A physicist whose groundbreaking research paved the way for technologies like caller ID and fiber-optic cables. She was also the first Black woman to earn a PhD from MIT. Her work quite literally changed how we communicate.
Patsy O. Sherman – Accidentally invented Scotchgard while working as a chemist at 3M. Her story proves that sometimes spills in the lab lead to legendary discoveries.
Lisa Seacat DeLuca – One of IBM’s most prolific inventors, she holds over 600 patents. Her work ranges from cloud computing to smart home tech. She’s also a strong advocate for women in STEM.
Nina Tandon – CEO and co-founder of EpiBone, she’s working on growing human bones from a patient’s own stem cells. Yes, you read that right—growing bones. Welcome to the future.
Ann Makosinski – A young inventor who created the Hollow Flashlight, powered by body heat. She’s continued to innovate in green tech and inspire young inventors around the world.
Katalin Karikó – Her decades of work on mRNA technology were the foundation for the COVID-19 vaccines. She wasn’t always taken seriously, but her persistence changed global health forever.
Joy Buolamwini – Founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, she created facial recognition tools to expose bias in AI systems and advocates for ethical tech development. A modern inventor challenging not just what we build—but how and why we build it.
Hedy Lamarr– Actress and inventor who co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology during World War II, which later became foundational for modern wireless communications, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
These inventors—past and present—show that anyone can be an innovator. t’s in the lab, the garage, the classroom, and the kitchen. It’s driven by curiosity, persistence, and the belief that things can be better.
So this National Inventors Month, celebrate the bold thinkers, the tireless tinkerers, and the overlooked geniuses who shape our world. Try something new. Ask weird questions. And remember: the next big invention could start with your idea
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