We invite you to join the UConn Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors for a special presentation by Eric S. Hintz, Ph.D., titled Ingenious Yankees: Three Centuries of Innovation in Hartford. Hintz, a historian with the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the Smithsonian Institution, will discuss the research underlying Places of Invention, an exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History that showcases the spirit of innovation in Hartford, CT and several other communities.
Abstract:
Long before its emergence as the state capital and an industrial powerhouse, Hartford was founded in 1636 as a Connecticut River trading post. In the 1850s and ‘60s, firms like Aetna and Travelers emerged to underwrite the maritime trade, making Hartford the “insurance capital of the world.” Meanwhile, the Colt armory and its neighboring firms perfected the techniques of interchangeable parts manufacturing, establishing Hartford as one of the birthplaces of American mass production in the 19th century. Thus, all kinds of products—including firearms, sewing machines, bicycles, automobiles, and machine tools—were invented and manufactured in Hartford, making this New England city a hotbed of “Yankee ingenuity.” During the 20th century, Hartford’s innovators expanded into new sectors, including typewriters, brushes, aircraft engines, and helicopters, but after World War II, the effects of deindustrialization turned the city into one of the nation’s poorest. Now, during the 21st century, Hartford’s inventors and civic leaders are working to revitalize the city by drawing inspiration from its long history of innovation.
About Eric:
Eric S. Hintz, Ph.D., currently serves as a curator on two exhibitions, Places of Invention and American Enterprise, and is responsible for producing the Center’s annual symposium series, “New Perspectives on Invention and Innovation.” In addition, Eric coordinates the Lemelson Center’s fellowship and grant programs; assists in the collection of historically significant artifacts and documents; and pursues opportunities to speak and write about his scholarly interests. Eric’s research interests include the history of science and technology and US business and economic history; he specializes in the history of invention and R&D. He has discussed his work on MSNBC and National Public Radio; his publications have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Technology and Culture, the Business History Review, Enterprise and Society, and Research-Technology Management.
Event Details
February 11, 2019
Mark Twain House, Hartford
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Reception, introductions, and displays from UConn TIP companies and other CT entrepreneurs
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Presentation by Dr. Eric S. Hintz
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP.
Questions? Contact Linda Burian at lburian@uchc.edu.
You are welcome to download the event flyer and share it with others who may be interested in attending.
This event is co-chaired by Dr. Lakshmi Nair and Dr. Mostafa Analoui and is sponsored by the Innovation and Inventorship Core Interest Group of the Connecticut Convergence Institute and the Office of the the Vice President for Research.
We thank visitors for signing in at the event.
About the UConn NAI Chapter:
The UConn Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI-UCONN) has been established to (1) promote scientific innovation and inventorship across all disciplines in the UConn community (ii) develop educational and mentorship programs around invention and inventorship (iii) increase awareness regarding innovation and encourage the disclosure of intellectual property (iv) drive engagement by bringing academia and industry together and (v) create a platform to share the lessons learned by the UConn inventors and other research communities in CT. For more information about the chapter visit their website.
Attendees enjoy refreshments prior to the lecture “Ingenious Yankees: Three Centuries of Innovation in Hartford” 
