The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation Season 10, Episode 13: McKinley Thompson

Ping Pong Robot

A ping pong robot sharpens one's backhand; an underwater scooter on one's arms; the disruptive invention of the digital camera; when mail-order shopping began.

Seal Whisker Camera

Super Coral Reefs

Snore Pillow

The No Pedal Bike

Learning to ride a bike without pedals; tracking one's child's growth with tech; the disruptive invention of colorblind glasses; the women of agriculture.

Self-Editing Sports Camera

The wall vacuum jet to launder one's clothes; a stand-alone camera producing kids' soccer videos; when the cellphone disrupted the world; early home architecture.

Hip Luggage Cart

A hands-free luggage cart; camping off the ground with a two-story tent; the tech of movie star Hedy Lamarr; the history of chandeliers.

Stone Balancing Beauty

The art of stacking boulders; the paper keeping veggies fresh; the Jetman soaring on high; Thomas Edison's actual workshop.

Wrist Cooling A/C

The wrist air conditioner; the technology of spokespeople that aren't people; the disruptive tuner for singers; the innovative art of Lillian Schwartz.

Launching Salmon

The salmon cannon whooshing fish upriver; the resurgence of vinyl records; the flying bird robot scattering the flock; the rivalry between Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla.

Off-road Vehicles

Our curator of transportation discusses off-road vehicles with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a portable cold plunge tub, a smart ukelele, and a noninvasive way to harvest honey from beehives.

The Rosa Parks Bus

Our president and former executive vice president discuss Rosa Parks with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a bracelet designed to repel sharks, the school training a new generation of watchmakers, and a scientist using bananas to address vitamin A deficiency.

George Washington Carver

Our curator of agriculture and the environment discusses George Washington Carver with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a sonar fish finder, a playground that helps teach physics, and a transforming pizza box.

Advertising Illustrators

Our curator of decorative arts discusses advertising illustrators with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a device to harness the power of running water, wearable robotic gravity assistance, and the disruptive invention of the Apple 1.

The Wright Brothers

Our curator of transportation discusses the Wright brothers with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us biologically-inspired robots, massage chairs, and a penguin research rover.

Literacy

Our librarian discusses literacy with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us technology for writing in the sky, a soundproof microphone that isolates your voice, and the disruptive power of crowdfunding.

Henry Ford’s Violins

Our curator of domestic life discusses Henry Ford’s violin collection with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a jet ski that dives under the waves, a security fog machine, and a rolling water barrel.

Design for Aging

Our curator of design discusses design for aging with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a solar-powered camper, a smart bracelet to help with repetitive behavior, and the disruptive creation of a global seed vault.

Railroad Roundhouses

Our curator of transportation discusses industrial locomotives with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us play balls for horses, clothing designed for extreme cold, and farmers saving water with the tree T-PEE.

Aerial Photography

One of our associate curators discusses aerial photography with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a smart showerhead, a booster for weak cellular signals, and the disruptive invention of wristwatches.

Henry Ford and Soybeans

Our curator of transportation discusses Henry Ford’s soybean research with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us wheelchairs for pets, shipping container farms, and LED shoe lights for running at night.

Haptic Gloves

Gloves with the tapping touch; recycling paint into paint; the disruptive invention of 3D printing; the history of children's books.

Pillar Plants

The tackle dummy avoiding injuries; surfing above the waves; the plants on highway pillars cleaning the air; Abe Lincoln.

Mail Order Shopping

Searching for sunken treasure with an underwater drone; the paddleboard pumped up with a hydro jet; the ping pong robot sharpening one's backhand; when mail order shopping began.