Today, we get to celebrate a truly special occasion—National Inventors Day! Mark your calendars, because February 11 is the day we honor the brilliance of inventors everywhere.

A little history: back on January 13, 1983, President Ronald Reagan officially declared February 11 as National Inventors Day, paying tribute to none other than Thomas Alva Edison, a true marvel of innovation. Edison’s legendary inventions, like the incandescent electric lamp, phonograph, and motion picture projector, not to mention his impressive collection of over 1,000 patents, showcase the incredible impact inventors have on our lives. As President Reagan noted in his proclamation, “inventors are the keystone of the technological progress that is so vital to the economic, environmental, and social well-being of this country.” Wise words, indeed!

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the past: all the way back in 1790, President George Washington recognized the importance of invention and pushed for a patent system that would propel America forward. Thanks to those early efforts, we shifted from being a technology importer to a world leader in innovation. Without those inventive minds paving the way, who knows where we’d be today?

National Inventors’ Day is a reminder of the extraordinary creativity that fuels humanity. Think about it: our inventiveness is what distinguishes us from every other species. Just picture life without all those amazing inventions that have shaped our progress over the centuries. From the wheel to the smartphone—wow, we’ve come a long way!

So here’s to you, genius inventors! Each spark of ingenuity, each late night of tinkering, and every failed prototype leads to breakthroughs that enhance our lives. Let’s embrace the spirit of innovation today, and honor those who dared to dream and create. Happy National Inventors’ Day!