Innovation Enterprise

Florida Inventors Hall of Fame

honoring and celebrating florida's inventors

By encouraging discovery, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame supports a culture of creativity that fuels innovation, drives economic growth, and encourages investment in Florida. The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is a state-wide initiative dedicated to honoring and celebrating Florida inventors whose achievements have significantly advanced the quality of life for all Americans.

Inductees of the Florida Hall of Fame

Inductees are selected annually through a nomination process open to all inventors (living or deceased) in the state of Florida. The nominations are reviewed by a Selection Committee made up of distinguished experts in relevant fields of innovation. Inventors who are inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame are recognized at an annual ceremony, where their achievements are honored and their influence on society acknowledged and celebrated.

Annual Induction Ceremony & Gala

The Annual Induction Ceremony and Gala recognizes the distinguished contributions of the newly inducted class to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. In partnership with generous sponsors, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Annual Induction Ceremony brings together members from the innovation communities in Florida as well as across the United States to celebrate these esteemed inductees. 

Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

As part of the vibrant innovation ecosystem, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Museum showcases engaging exhibits of the Inductees and their inventions. The collection includes original patented inventions and replicated patents from early Florida inventors like John Gorrie, the original creator of air conditioning and ice making; as well as Thomas Edison, the father of modern invention who created such items as the incandescent light bulb, the storage battery, and the phonograph—which was the first to record and play sound.

IGNITE Program

IGNITE is a trailblazing outreach program that teaches K-12 students how to be creative problem solvers, strategic thinkers, and innovators. It is designed to give students the knowledge and tools they need to cultivate an innovation mindset—and build life and career skills for their future. IGNITE brings together the collective power of the world-class innovators in the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, as well as the vibrant innovation community throughout the State of Florida. Through hands-on activities, exciting classes, innovation challenges, mentoring, and more, IGNITE can help young innovators IGNITE their own spark within.