I've been reading up on Isaac Singer and Thomas Edison lately to understand the roots of "Yankee ingenuity." It's easy to dismiss that notion as patriotic blather, but the more I read, the more I see there really was a confluence of particularly American factors--abundant natural resources, a tolerance for experimentation, education unfettered by theory--that successfully fostered innovation in the years following the Industrial Revolution.

Henry Ford was an important player in that innovation, and the Michigan-based museum in his name is partnering with the IDSA to inspire the current generation.

"[Ford] believed that if he could teach kids about how Americans progressed through hands-on learning, they would have a better sense of history and the importance of progress in America," said Patricia Mooradian, president and CEO of The Henry Ford.

...For the second year in a row, the museum is collaborating with the Industrial Designers Society of America to bring examples of leading design to its permanent collection while shining a spotlight on the museum and region as a center of innovation. In the spring, The Henry Ford once again will host the judging for the International Design Excellence Awards, [which] fosters business and public understanding about the impact of design excellence on the quality of life and the economy. "The Henry Ford is known for having one of the best collections for industrial design," Mooradian said.

Read the full Crain's article about their mission here.