    When asked what inspired them to become inventors, many adults tell stories about playing as children. In our virtual playhouse, you can set your own inventive thinking in motion.   The abilities humans develop through play—curiosity, persistence, imagination, communication, problem solving—have been and continue to be an important part of the inventor’s tool kit. Explore the stories of inventors, both famous and little-known, whose creative habits of mind began in childhood play and resulted in a variety of useful contributions.   How have attitudes toward play changed over time? What kinds of toys did inventors play with as children? Is the quality and quantity of children’s play changing? If play is changing, how will that affect invention? Reflect upon these and other questions through video commentaries and toy displays. To view the enhanced version of the site, please download the latest Flash player. Visit the Lemelson Center Web site  |