A QUICK WORD FROM ROBERT STEPHENS,
FOUNDER OF THE GEEK SQUAD
Minnesota was the best place for me to start The Geek Squad. Why did so many leading companies and brands emerge from Minnesota? What’s so special about the place? Why, for example, do world leaders travel all the way to Rochester, Minnesota, for the best medical care in the world? Why is Minnesota such a great place to do business, and how did so many creative people end up here?
Because Minnesota is the Russia of America.
That’s meant as a compliment. After all, some of the best poets and physicists come from Russia. Why? Because it is cold there; there’s nothing to do but sit by the fire, read books, and strategize against your competition. I think that goes a long way to explain how Minnesota has birthed so many interesting companies and is such a great place to do business.
A FEW WORDS FROM ERIC QUINT,
CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER AT 3M
Inventions are often driven by a circumstantial context and inspired by local needs: It is no surprise that water skis are invented in the state of 10,000 lakes, that the snowblower is invented in a state with cold and snowy winters, and that sandpaper is invented in a state with a strong mining industry. During the last century, Minnesota has developed into a vibrant business community built upon entrepreneurship and a pragmatic, problem-solving mentality—powered by a culture of curiosity and doing. Today, Minnesota is home to numerous global business enterprises and a large creative community advancing their inventive spirit into global innovation leadership.
Developments impacting society, such as globalization, a digitally connected world, and the quest for sustainability, will spark new inventions far beyond local needs. I can only imagine the 2116 edition of MNInvents showcasing yet another century of innovation from the “Cool North,” continuing to impact the world.
SOME GREAT WORDS FROM DAVE KAPELL,
INVENTOR OF MAGNETIC POETRY
Read through a few of these fascinating invention stories, and you realize that you could travel the world over and probably never be more than a few feet away from something invented and/or made in Minnesota!
ABOUT MN INVENTS
MN INVENTS chronicles the colorful behind-the-scenes history of Minnesota’s fertile culture of innovation and invention. Encompassing things like the stored-memory computer, the pop-up toaster, the retractable safety belt, the in-ear hearing aid, water skis, Spam(!), and even a miniature helicopter piloted by mind control, the list of Minnesota-born inventions is long and gets longer every year. MN INVENTS is happy to introduce this cavalcade of ingenuity to the world.
The people of this state have a long history of reluctance to accept the status quo. And when a challenge arises, history shows that, time and again, a Minnesotan meets that challenge with imagination and inventiveness. Whether the result is something as playful as a Nerf ball, as useful as a Post-it note, or as life-giving as open-heart surgery, this generous tradition is a well-earned source of pride and empowerment for all Minnesotans.
MN INVENTS—it really, really does!
MN Invents books and posters have been shown at the University of Minnesota, St, Cloud State University, The MN Historical Society and the 3M Innovation Center. We are proud that our poster are part of the permanent collections of both the MN Historical Society and the 3M innovation center. MN invents has been featured on Fox News, WCCO Radio, MinnPost, and the Rudy Maxa Show!
ABOUT REPLACE
Replace is an international award-winning team of artists + writers that specialize in brand design. Founded in 1996, our Minneapolis firm approaches all projects believing that you are in business to Improve + Replace the status quo. Clients like you make us great. Our work is in the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, the Minnesota Historical Society, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Walker Art Center, and most likely somewhere in your home.
