A new database from the Smithsonian's Lemelson Center will guide researchers
on where to find invention-related documents and collections. The MIND
(Modern Inventors Documentation) database identifies the invention-related
holdings of hundreds of archives across the United States and is the
nation's first database devoted exclusively to such documents. The
collections in the database cover a variety of subjects, with many from
medical, consumer, scientific, household and legal fields. With more than
1,700 records when it debuted in May, it is continuing to grow daily as more
archives, museums, libraries and historical societies report the contents of
their invention-related collections to the Smithsonian for inclusion in the
MIND database. Users simply submit a key word to search and if the invention
is in the database it will note what materials exist about the invention,
which museum, archive or library holds the collection, and how to contact
them for more details. Where possible, there is also information on how to
access the collection and a direct web link to the collection or its holder.
Advanced search options allow the user to search by repository, inventor
name, or collection title.  Users can also search for inventions from a list
of over sixty subjects. 

To access the MIND database, please visit: invention.smithsonian.org/MIND
Repositories with relevant collections are invited to contribute
information about their holdings.  Requests to participate in the database
can be sent to: Alison Oswald at [log in to unmask]

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