State to recognize Alaska inventors Feb. 11

February 8, 2012

Marmian Grimes

The Alaska Inventors Alliance and the Alaska Patent & Trademark Resource Center will host a daylong event Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Geophysical Institute.

The event marks Alaska Inventors Day, which was created by Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell via an executive proclamation.

During the event, the public can learn about resources available to local inventors, tour the GI machine and electronics shops, and meet with Interior mayors and local inventors.

The Alaska Inventors Day Seminar will run from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, with activities in the Globe Room and auditorium located at the Geophysical Institute. This is a free event open to the public.

Since 1976, more than 1,600 patents were awarded to Alaskans. Their creations include a pin bone removal apparatus, pioneered by machinists at the GI, and an ocean spill and contaminated sea ice containment, separation and removal system. Currently, more than 500 new patent applications from Alaskans have been submitted for processing.

Feb. 11 was selected for the occasion because it is the birthday of Thomas Alva Edison, a world-renowned American inventor and holder of more than 1,000 patents.

For more information contact Shiva Hullavarad, event coordinator, at 455-2017 or via email at shiva.h@alaska.edu.