Genius in America

The winners of Smithsonian Magazine's Ingenuity Awards explain what "ingenuity" means to them. The winners of Smithsonian Magazine's Ingenuity Awards explain what "ingenuity" means to them.« less

Annie Clark is a singer-songwriter better know by her stage name St. Vincent. She exchanged media files over the Internet with David Byrne, playing musical tennis, to create the album "Love is Giant." Annie Clark is a singer-songwriter better know by her stage name St. Vincent. She exchanged media files over the Internet with David Byrne, playing musical tennis, to create the album "Love is Giant."« less

Adam Steltzner is an American NASA engineer who works for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was the phase lead and development manager for the landing systems that got NASA's Curiosity Rover to Mars. Adam Steltzner is an American NASA engineer who works for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was the phase lead and development manager for the landing systems that got NASA's Curiosity Rover to Mars.« less

Saumil Bandyopadhyay was only 15 years old when he designed a device that detects ultraviolet and infrared emissions at room temperature without needing liquid nitrogen. Saumil Bandyopadhyay was only 15 years old when he designed a device that detects ultraviolet and infrared emissions at room temperature without needing liquid nitrogen.« less

Mimi Lok is the executive director and executive editor of Voice of Witness, a publication that brings focus to human rights crises in the United States and around the world through oral history. Mimi Lok is the executive director and executive editor of Voice of Witness, a publication that brings focus to human rights crises in the United States and around the world through oral history.« less

Caroline Winterer is the principal investigator of the Benjamin Franklin Project. By using social network analysis, she is challenging accepted historical narratives about one of our founding fathers. Caroline Winterer is the principal investigator of the Benjamin Franklin Project. By using social network analysis, she is challenging accepted historical narratives about one of our founding fathers.« less

Doug Aitken is a multimedia artist. His body of work ranges from photography, print media, sculpture, and architectural interventions, to narrative films, sound, single and multi-channel video works. Doug Aitken is a multimedia artist. His body of work ranges from photography, print media, sculpture, and architectural interventions, to narrative films, sound, single and multi-channel video works.« less

John Rogers is a professor of material science and engineering. He invented transient electronics: electronics created with materials that are designed to explicitly dissolve and disintegrate away. John Rogers is a professor of material science and engineering. He invented transient electronics: electronics created with materials that are designed to explicitly dissolve and disintegrate away.« less

Caroline Hoxby studied the achievement rates of American low-income students. She revealed that there is a much higher number of low-income high-achieving students than original reports accounted for. Caroline Hoxby studied the achievement rates of American low-income students. She revealed that there is a much higher number of low-income high-achieving students than original reports accounted for.« less