The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center

At noon on Wednesday, June 3, Eric Hintz, director of The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center, will present reflections on regional innovation cultures while highlighting Mississippi’s significant contributions to American industry and innovation, for at the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Visitors are also encouraged to view "Mississippi Made," a special exhibit currently on display at the museums, sponsored by Wayne-Sanderson Farms.

This free event will also stream live on the MDAH page and YouTube channel. This program is part of the "Making History, Making Change Lecture Series" organized by Smithsonian Affiliations as part of the Smithsonian’s "Our Shared Future: 250". It is supported in part by the Dreier Family, Johanna and Ken Kim Family, Vaishali Shah Chadha and Family, and Michael Vu and Meridel Bulle-Vu.

Now Available: The Lemelson Center’s 2025 Activities Report!

From dynamic public programs and new educational initiatives to thought-provoking exhibitions and digital storytelling, this report highlights how we engaged audiences of all ages throughout the year around themes of innovation and invention.

Whether you joined us in person, tuned in online, or are discovering our work for the first time, we invite you to explore the report and learn how the Lemelson Center is inspiring generations of creative problem-solvers.

View the full report here: https://invention.si.edu/invention-stories/2025-lemelson-center-activities-report

In February, we had the honor of hosting Harry Edwards for our Innovative Lives program. Through his scholarship and advocacy, Edwards established the sociology of sports and reframed the role of athletes in conversations about equity, power, and public life.

In our latest blog post, revisit his reflections on the intellectual and social foundations of his work and watch the full program recording:

Reflections on Innovative Lives: Harry Edwards | Lemelson In February 2026, the Center hosted a virtual conversation with Harry Edwards, the founder of the sociology of sport as an academic discipline.