The Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame (MIHF) is a Minnesota non-profit corporation. Its volunteer Board of Directors includes inventors, patent lawyers, members of the scientific community, and the public.
The MIHF was established in 1976 for the purpose of honoring inventors generally and bringing to the attention of the public the economic and social importance of their contributions to society. This is done by identifying those Minnesotans who have made significant contributions through their inventions.. The overall impact of the inventor's work is a more important consideration than the impact of a single invention.
Inductees are selected from candidates submitted by written nomination, based on the following criteria:
- A candidate is one who is an innovator, a creator, a solver of problems.
- A candidate is one who has made a significant contribution to the betterment of life - especially here in Minnesota.
- The impact of the candidate's contribution in the general economic sphere in terms of capital injected, business generated or jobs created.
- The impact in the social sphere in terms of improved quality of life through greater convenience, saving of time, better health, safety, superior products, and the like.
- Most likely, the candidate's inventions will have had a significant impact in both economic and social areas.
- A candidate's contributions may be measured in terms of patents, but the number of patents, if any, is secondary to considerations of economic and social impact.
- A candidate regards himself or herself as a Minnesotan and is so recognized by others.
- A candidate has strong Minnesota ties through any one or more of birth, education, long residence, employment, family relationships, or the like, but contributions for which he or she is honored need not have been in Minnesota.
The inductees are honored in an exhibit at the Redwood Area Community Center in Redwood Falls. Each inductee is identified with a photograph and a bronze plaque summarizing his or her accomplishments. In addition, up to ten inductees are highlighted in the exhibit each year with more information about their accomplishments, photographs, patents, artifacts and examples of their work.
Donations to assist in maintained the website and permanent display would be appreciated, and may be sent to:
Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame
PO Box 50
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
All donations are tax-deductible.