Can you believe the second Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge from the History Channel and Invent Now is already upon us? Believe it, inventive people, because this year's competition is already heating up. The National Inventors Hall of Fame has opened its call for submissions to any and all inventors who hope to capture the 2007 Modern Marvel of the Year award, and if the first year's submissions are any indication (there were 4,500 entries, from people ages 8 to 80), you might have your work cut out for you.

Last year's winner was David R. Ward, who invented building material made of the renewable source of straw (take a look at Gearlog's post for more info). He was awarded a $25,000 grant to develop his invention. This year, the same prize will be awarded. You'll need to turn in your submission before the November 20th  deadline. The submissions will be judged by Hall of Fame inventors and industry experts, who will evaluate inventions on their originality and potential of application, the inventor's cleverness and approach, and the history behind the idea. Once the judges make their decision, a group of 25 semifinalists will be announced in March of 2007, and the inventions will be shown in a traveling exhibition, visiting a variety of science centers across the country. At the conclusion of the tour, four finalists will be chosen. The final winner will receive the grant, gifts, and a feature on the History Channel's Modern Marvels: Great Inventions Week starting May 14, 2007.

So get your glue and duct tape out, and get cracking. That nifty gizmo you're planning on submitting won't invent itself!

Post by Don Reisinger