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When asked what inspired them to become inventors,
many adults tell stories about playing as children.
In our virtual playhouse, you can set your own inventive
thinking in motion.
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The abilities humans develop through play—curiosity,
persistence, imagination, communication, problem
solving—have been and continue to be an important
part of the inventor’s tool kit. Explore the
stories of inventors, both famous and little-known,
whose creative habits of mind began in childhood
play and resulted in a variety of useful contributions.
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How have attitudes toward play changed over time?
What kinds of toys did inventors play with as children?
Is the quality and quantity of children’s play
changing? If play is changing, how will that affect
invention? Reflect upon these and other questions
through video commentaries and toy displays.
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To view the enhanced version of the site, please download the latest Flash player.
Visit
the Lemelson Center Web site All
text and images © Smithsonian Institution
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Invention often begins with doodling. Use the area above to sketch your ideas.
sketch more 
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Alexander G. Bell’s Sketch
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See sketches of the first telephone.
view sketch
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