Meet The Fellows
learn more about the class of ’13
GO INSIDE THE INVENTIVE MIND
Follow along as we share the passion and anecdotes of IBMers who helped send people to the moon, hatched trillions of barcodes, launched the computer industry and then even taught one to play Jeopardy! They’re just some of the innovations we’ve been working on to build a smarter planet.
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“Passing along the urge to invent is as important to me as the actual process of inventing.”
James Kraemer
70+ patents, 200+ pending
“Creating is a very natural process for most thinking people. There is a problem and you would like to find a solution. If you find this solution it is very rewarding because there is one less problem in this world.”
IBMer Hendrik Hamann
60 patents, 60 pending
“Inventors are people, who are driven to find solutions to problems. Instead of complaining about a problem they think and invent a solution to overcome. I believe that most people – given the right environment – are actually inventors.”
IBMer Hendrik Hamann
60 patents, 60 pending
“Always listen, stay curious and keep your aperture wide open whether interacting with people from very different backgrounds and educations or reading different literature, etc.”
IBMer Hendrik Hamann
60 patents, 60 pending
“I look to Thomas Edison for ideas on inventing. His most important invention was inventing the first R&D laboratory. He did not just design the first commercially viable light bulb, he also patented all the supporting devices like electric generators, transmission wires, switches and fuses. I try to take the same organized approach to my inventing. I am approaching 1/5 of an Edison. Thomas Edison filed 1,094 patents.”
James Kraemer
70+ patents, 200+ pending
“My patents come from solving problems. The insights can come in sleep, in the shower, or on a walk. Luckily, I haven’t been blinded by inspiration while driving.”
Edie Stern
114 patents
“The best inventors do it because it is so much fun, they can’t stop doing it.”
Bob Friedlander + James Kraemer
120+ patents, 350+ pending
“Identifying problems is key. Many people see annoyances, but going the extra steps to classify the problem as something solvable and list potential solutions is what leads to patents.”
Brian Cragun
80 patents
“The English Regency shower was invented in 1810; then, we had the industrial revolution. Showers have the marvelous ability to strip away distracting concerns and conceptual ruts, allowing the mind to roam freely over problems and solutions until matches are found. If we didn’t have showers, we’d still be riding horses.”
Chad Peck
5 patents issued, 4 pending
“I’ll move through several iterations of ideas and when I think I’m ready to have holes poked at it, I then bring it to colleagues. Realize it will hurt to have your thoughts criticized, but when they’re done, it will almost always be better.”
Brian Gaucher
31 patents issued. 30 pending
“Inventions are needed everywhere. If you could invent a cheap plastic produce bag for grocery stores that would open itself, you would need a truck to haul the money way.”
Bob Friedlander + James Kraemer
120+ patents, 350+ pending
“Everyone has at least one great idea for a patent, if you can just figure out which idea it is.”
Bob Friedlander + James Kraemer
120+ patents, 350+ pending
“Don’t be discouraged. Successful inventors are people who learn from their miscues, inspire action in others, and find a way to continue inventing, year after year.”
Rick Hamilton
Master Inventor, 389 patents
