Inventions

Thomas Jennings was the first African American to receive a U.S. patent, 44 years before slavery ended.

The inventor has been cast as Thomas Edison's more magical nemesis and contemporary -- and he's currently being celebrated at the New York Hall of Science.

Musk has only hinted at what the Hyperloop is, but he's described his latest idea as a 'cross between a Concorde, a railgun and an air hockey table.'

Tesla's Elon Musk hopes to revolutionize transportation with a combination railgun, air hockey table and Concorde. What can he learn from past inventions?

Are you more innovative in your 20s or your 50s? Tom Agan, managing partner at innovation and brand consultancy Rivia, has come up with answer that might surprise you.

40 years ago the cellphone was invented by Martin Cooper at Motorola, much to the dismay of a competing team at AT&T's Bell Labs.

Monday is the first day on which patents will be awarded to the first filer of the patent not the first person to come up with an idea. Many worry this will favor applicants with big money behind them.