Disaster relief is different than the steady work of research, whether the disaster is natural or caused by human folly and greed. It is bursty and uncertain, urgent and unclear. When Russia invaded Ukraine, I thought the war would be over before Public Invention could possibly do anything. I was traveling to Auburn Alabama, in […]
Why we started and then froze a software effort for Ukraine Read More »
Public Invention generally does not pay its volunteers (there are rare exceptions.) In general, we try to maintain the policy of “no out-of-pocket expenses” (NOOPE) which is that we pay for materials, supplies, and equipment, but do not directly compensate volunteers. It is therefore essential that we recognize volunteers for their hard work. Sometimes this
The 2021 Public Invention Annual Awards Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic has cost five million lives so far with the real death toll likely five times higher. It has exposed an urgent need for effective global action while highlighting our collective lack of preparedness to respond to acute global health crises. Humanity must learn from this experience and be better prepared for future
The Open Medical Technology Manifesto Read More »
Rich firms and persons in a America pay too little in taxes, and yet at the same time they get too few thanks. It is perfectly consistent to believe both of these things. I personally suspect the more they are thanked, the less they will resist paying higher taxes. Whether you believe this or not,
Let’s Thank These Firms for Contributing to the Low Carbon Patent Pledge Read More »
Public Invention, Inc., (this non-profit) encourages student groups to create clubs at their schools devoted to the ideas of Public Invention and Humanitarian Engineering. In fact, we’ve written a article explaining how and why to do this, which we would be happy for you to share. However, to use the name “Public Invention”, which is
Register your Student Public Invention Club with Us! Read More »
Public Invention’s motto is “Invent in the public, for the Public.” Inventing in the public means working “in the light”—letting everyone see the work product as you go along. In a sense, working in the light is a form of mentoring that is available to all for free. But people need one-on-one, personal mentoring as
Mentorship through Collaboration Read More »
— Robert L. Read, PhD, Founder Public Invention — Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation Thompson Centre for Engineering Leadership & Innovation, Ivey Business School Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Western University — Avinash Baskaran, PhD candidate, Robotics, Auburn University — Megan Cadena, Biomedical Engineer, UT Austin
How to Start a Public Invention and Humanitarian Engineering Club at your University Read More »
Dear Friend of Public Invention, As you probably know, there is a terrible humanitarian crisis in India right now. The COVID-19 disease is rampant, the medical system is overwhelmed, it appears that the infections may actually be increasing, and deaths and infections are almost certainly being undercounted. I would like to tell you that Public
The Crisis in India and Our Response Read More »
— Robert L. Read In June and July, Public Invention applied for and received two $20,000 grants, one from the Mozilla Open Source Software (MOSS) Foundation, and one from Protocol labs, specifically to develop, make, and give away free-of-charge, the “VentMon” tester for invasive and non-invasive ventilators. The MOSS foundation grant had stronger legal language
Our progress and plans: An open letter about the VentMon to donors and grantors Read More »
We are pleased to thank the Mozilla Open Source Support Foundation for a generous grant of $20,000 specifically to make and give away the VentMon free-of-charge. The VentMon is one of our most active projects in the fight against COVID-19. The VentMon is a device for measuring pressure, flow, oxygen, temperature and humidity produced by
Public Invention Receives $20,000 Grant from Mozilla Open Source Support Foundation Read More »
