The Great American Innovation Contest

Inspired by President George Washington's 1790 signing of the nation's first patent law, the contest honors the inventors, builders, and dreamers who have powered 250 years of American progress.

Every state is represented by one groundbreaking innovation that captures its unique contribution to America's story. Use the map to explore each state's greatest invention and vote for your favorite below.

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NJ

The Light Bulb

Thomas Edison

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Top 10 Leaderboard

  1. 1 North Carolina Airplane 13 votes
  2. 2 Texas Integrated Circuit 12 votes
  3. 3 Rhode Island American Industrial Revolution 10 votes
  4. 4 New York Air Conditioning 8 votes
  5. 5 Pennsylvania Lightning Rod 7 votes
  6. 6 Virginia Swivel Chair 7 votes
  7. 7 California The Microchip 7 votes
  8. 8 Ohio Cash Register 6 votes
  9. 9 Alabama Saturn V Rocket 6 votes
  10. 10 Michigan Automobile Assembly Line 5 votes