"The inventors and artists represented in this exhibit produced artistic treasures that also serve a practical purpose,” Dudas noted.

"Visitors may ask themselves, is it the art of invention or the invention of art?  Either way, they will learn how the US patent and trademark systems protect and encourage innovation, and they will learn about the men and women whose creativity has helped foster a strong, prosperous America," he added.

The exhibit is arranged in two sections.  The Art of Invention section highlights works from inventors and artists who studied and drew inspiration from the world in their quest for beauty, such as Louis Comfort Tiffany’s creations in glass or Eva Zeisel’s prolific work in ceramics.

The Invention of Art section features inventions that have been of great significance to science or industry, but also have collateral value as art in unexpected images whose color, composition, and content can be seen as an object of beauty, for example, images from space taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.  Some displays may have characteristics of both sides.

Other innovations on display include a Steinway piano, Firestone’s show car—a 1994 Lola T9300, images of bacteria and medication under a microscope, the designs of Michael Graves and Charles and Ray Eames, as well as many others that are protected by patents and trademarks.

Dudas also dedicated the new Isaac Fleischmann Theatre located in the museum.  Isaac Fleischmann was the first director of the USPTO’s public affairs office and was an enthusiastic, eloquent and persuasive advocate of America’s intellectual property protection system for more than 50 years.  A new video entitled, "Extraordinary Innovations," premiered and will be shown continuously in the theatre.

The USPTO Museum and store were developed and are maintained by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation.