Welcome and Introduction:
Elizabeth Dougherty, the event host, welcomed attendees to the presentation at the Clara Barton Auditorium. She welcomed both in-person and online participants from around the world.

Housekeeping Requests:
Dougherty requested that attendees turn off their cell phones to avoid distractions during the presentation. She asked participants to prepare their questions for the Q&A portion, which would occur later. She explained that microphones were available for in-person and online attendees to ask questions.

Introduction of the Speaker:
Andre Iancu, the director of the USPTO, introduced the speaker, Dean Kamen. Iancu highlighted Kamen’s achievements, including his numerous U.S. and foreign patents, the National Medal of Technology, and the induction of the USPTO into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He mentioned Kamen’s invention of the auto syringe in the 1970s and his subsequent founding of DECA Research and Development Corporation.

Focus on Education and FIRST:
Iancu emphasized Kamen’s commitment to education and his founding of FIRST (Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989. He highlighted the impact of FIRST, with millions of students participating in the program and many of them being present at the event. Iancu thanked the FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Robotics teams present for showcasing their efforts.

Recognition of Nick Reeves:
Iancu recognized Nick Reeves, a former FIRST participant who went on to pursue a degree in computer science and engineering and now works in the robotics field. He praised Reeves for receiving his first patent in 2019 and continuing his involvement with FIRST as a mentor and volunteer.

Welcome to Attendees:
Iancu welcomed St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, patent attorneys, DECA Research representatives, and USPTO examiners to the event.

Request to Begin Discussion:
Iancu concluded the introductions and asked Dean Kamen to start discussing one of his most important projects.

What is FIRST?:
FIRST is a global program that inspires young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It does this by hosting robotics competitions that challenge teams to design, build, and program robots to complete specific tasks. FIRST has over a million participants and has been credited with helping to increase the number of students pursuing STEM careers.

Dean Kamen’s Legacy:
Dean Kamen is the founder of FIRST and is widely considered to be one of the most important inventors of our time. He believes that the best thing he can invent is more inventors. He is confident that FIRST will have a long-lasting legacy and will continue to inspire young people to pursue STEM careers.

FIRST’s New Programs:
FIRST has recently started a number of new programs to make the game more attractive to more young people. These programs include a global program and a series of games that are themed around real-world problems. The games are designed to teach students about the engineering, mechanics, electronics, sensors, and robots necessary to solve these problems.

FIRST and Star Wars:
FIRST has partnered with Disney and Lucasfilm to create a Star Wars-themed game for the 2020 season. The game is designed to show students how the skills they learn in FIRST can be used to solve real-world problems. The partnership is a testament to the power of science fiction to inspire young people to pursue STEM careers.

FIRST Robotics and Star Wars Collaboration:
FIRST Robotics, led by Dean Kamen, aims to inspire young people to pursue science and technology through robotics competitions. Star Wars Force for Change and FIRST Robotics join forces to bring hands-on learning opportunities and mentorship to youth worldwide.

FedEx Partnership and the Delivery Bot:
FedEx and FIRST Robotics have a longstanding partnership for transporting competition robots. FedEx seeks to develop a delivery bot with the help of Kamen’s team at DEKA, inspired by the iBot mobility device. The delivery bot will navigate various terrains, recognize traffic lights, and climb stairs.

Dean Kamen’s Early Tinkering and Educational Journey:
Kamen’s passion for invention began in junior high school when he started making things in his parents’ basement. He struggled with the traditional education system, preferring a hands-on approach to learning. Kamen’s older brother, a brilliant medical researcher, inspired him to create medical devices that could benefit patients.

Development of Insulin Pumps and Medical Equipment:
Kamen’s first invention was a device to deliver small doses of drugs to babies with cancer, inspired by his brother’s work. He realized the potential of the device for insulin delivery in diabetic patients and started a company to manufacture insulin pumps. Over time, Kamen’s company expanded to create a wide range of medical equipment, aiming to improve the quality of life for people.

Kamen’s Approach to Invention and Failure:
Kamen embraces audacious ideas that others might consider crazy, believing that truly groundbreaking inventions often defy conventional wisdom. He emphasizes the importance of learning from failures with dignity and grace, recognizing that not every project will succeed. When a project does succeed, Kamen seeks patents to protect the invention and collaborates with larger companies to bring it to scale and benefit millions of people.

Diversity in Kamen’s Inventions:
Kamen’s inventions span various fields, from medical devices to mobility solutions like the Segway. He believes that seemingly disparate projects are interconnected, as they all aim to solve big problems and improve lives. Kamen’s diverse inventions showcase his ability to identify opportunities and apply his creativity across different domains.

General Approach:
Dean Kamen is driven by the desire to solve big problems that have a significant impact. He is not interested in making small incremental changes to existing products or services. Kamen believes that focusing on big problems that others are not addressing can lead to meaningful solutions.

Examples of His Work:
Developing drug delivery systems to save the lives of babies. Creating the iBot, a mobility device that allows paraplegics and quadriplegics to stand and walk. Starting FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a robotics competition for high school students.

Success Criteria:
Kamen evaluates potential projects based on the following criteria: The problem is important and has a significant impact. The approach is new and different, offering a unique solution. The project is feasible and has a high likelihood of success.

Failures:
Kamen acknowledges that not all of his projects are successful. He does not publicly disclose the failures but learns from them to avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Cultural Problem with Fear of Failure:
In the United States, there is a cultural problem where people fear failure, leading to a stigma around it. This fear prevents individuals from trying new things and taking risks, which hinders innovation.

FIRST Robotics Competition:
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition encourages students to embrace failure and learn from it. There are no right or wrong answers in the competition, and students are encouraged to use their imagination to come up with creative solutions. Despite most robots losing in the competition, students are considered winners if they learn and grow from the experience.

Project-Based Learning vs. Classroom Learning:
Project-based learning emphasizes hands-on experiences and encourages students to learn from their mistakes. Classroom learning provides a structured approach to learning, teaching students the “right” answers. While classroom learning is essential for acquiring knowledge, project-based learning is crucial for fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.

Importance of Failure in Progress:
School teaches students how to avoid failures that others have already experienced. However, to make progress and innovate, individuals need to make their own mistakes and learn from them.

Embracing Diversity in Invention:
Dean Kamen’s diverse inventions, such as the syringe, Segway, and work on human tissue and organs, demonstrate his willingness to venture into areas where he lacks expertise. This approach allows him to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to different fields.

Dean Kamen’s Background and Approach to Innovation:
* Dean Kamen believes that expertise can sometimes be a hindrance to innovation because it can lead to incremental improvements rather than breakthroughs.
* Kamen prefers to approach problems from first principles, without being biased by existing methodologies.
* He draws inspiration from various fields, such as semiconductor manufacturing, to find new solutions to problems.

Applying First Principles to Water Purification and Education:
* Kamen’s approach led to the development of a water purification system that uses the sun’s energy to boil and purify water.
* He also founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a program that aims to engage students in STEM fields through robotics competitions.

Challenging Assumptions and Seeking New Solutions:
* Kamen emphasizes the importance of questioning assumptions and seeking new ways to address problems.
* He believes that incremental improvements may not be sufficient to solve complex challenges.
* Kamen advocates for going back to the basics and re-examining the fundamental problem to find innovative solutions.

Intellectual Property Protection as a Key Factor in Innovation:
* Kamen considers intellectual property protection to be the most important factor in driving innovation.
* He believes that strong intellectual property rights provide incentives for inventors to create new technologies and bring them to market.

Conclusion:
Dean Kamen’s unique approach to innovation, his focus on first principles, and his emphasis on intellectual property protection have contributed to his success in creating groundbreaking technologies and inspiring others to do the same.

Dean Kamen’s Insights on Intellectual Property:
Dean Kamen highlights the lack of understanding among elected officials regarding the value of intellectual property and patents.

Misinformation About Patents:
Misconceptions persist, such as the notion that patents lead to higher product costs or that inventors solely seek royalties.

Patents and Innovation:
Patents encourage innovation by protecting inventors’ rights and incentivizing the development of better products.

Ownership of Intellectual Property:
Kamen emphasizes the fundamental concept of owning intellectual property, akin to owning real property.

Wealth Creation Through Intellectual Property:
Unlike real property transactions, intellectual property creation generates new wealth. Sharing ideas among individuals leads to a multiplication of solutions and increased societal wealth.

Intellectual Property vs. Physical Property:
Intellectual property is unbounded and grows with the number of smart people creating new ideas. Physical property, on the other hand, is a zero-sum game, subject to depletion and limitations.

Fueling Innovation:
The United States Patent Office is unique in its role of fostering wealth creation through the protection of intellectual property. Patents provide certainty and incentives for individuals and businesses to invest in innovation and take risks.

The Importance of Intellectual Property:
Intellectual property, such as patents, is essential for driving economic growth and progress. Patents incentivize individuals and businesses to invest in research and development, leading to the creation of new technologies and solutions.

The Role of the Patent Office:
The Patent Office plays a crucial role in supporting innovation and economic growth by granting patents that protect intellectual property. Patents provide inventors with exclusive rights to their inventions, allowing them to reap the rewards of their creativity and effort.

The Influence of Dean Kamen’s Father:
Dean Kamen credits his father as the most influential person in shaping his entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic. His father was a self-employed artist who created things from scratch and instilled in Kamen the importance of hard work and independence. Kamen’s father’s example inspired him to pursue his passion for engineering and to create FIRST, a robotics competition that aims to make engineering exciting and accessible to all kids.

The Vision for FIRST:
Kamen’s goal with FIRST was to create a sport that would appeal to a wide range of students, regardless of their physical abilities or backgrounds. FIRST provides opportunities for students to learn about engineering and technology in a hands-on, engaging way. Kamen believes that FIRST can help address the shortage of skilled workers in STEM fields and inspire the next generation of innovators.

Technology’s Impact on Jobs:
Technology advances create new opportunities and careers. Boring, dangerous, and mindless jobs will be eliminated by technology. Despite debates, technological progress will continue. Adapt to technological advancements to stay relevant.

Patent Trolls and Abuse:
Patent trolls misuse the patent system to gain advantage. Closing the patent system to combat abuse is counterproductive. Dean Kamen defends his role as an inventor and manufacturer.

Collaboration with Big Companies:
Teaming up with large corporations enables efficient production and global reach. Collaboration results in a win-win-win situation. Inventors can focus on innovation, while corporations handle scaling and distribution. Patents serve as valuable assets during negotiations with big companies.

FLL’s Holistic Approach:
FLL goes beyond robotics, teaching essential life skills. Research, core values, and gracious professionalism are integral parts of the program. FLL provides a strong foundation for future endeavors.

Integrating FLL into School Curriculum:
FLL should be incorporated into the main school curriculum. Expanding First North to elementary schools would benefit thousands of children. FLL’s holistic approach aligns with educational goals.

FIRST for Every Kid:
Dean Kamen is dedicated to making FIRST available to every child in every school in the US and is working to build an army of supporters to achieve this goal.

FIRST Global:
Kamen founded First Global to promote international participation in FIRST, leading to a global challenge where 191 countries sent teams, including every country in the Middle East and Africa.

Inspiring the Next Generation:
Kamen believes that FIRST is not just about robots but about self-respect, collaboration, and building the people who will change the world.

The Power of a Seven-Year-Old Girl:
Kamen commissioned a two-minute video featuring a seven-year-old girl to communicate the message of FIRST’s impact and the importance of involvement from parents, leaders, and organizations.

Patent Protection:
Kamen emphasizes the importance of patent protection for FIRST and his other inventions, as it allows them to share protected ideas with partners and sustain their operations.

Optimism for the Future:
Kamen is optimistic about the future of technology, believing that artificial intelligence, machine learning, and machine vision will accelerate progress and solve many of today’s problems.

Challenges and Opportunities:
Kamen acknowledges the existence of bad actors who may misuse technology, but he emphasizes the importance of creating individuals with the skills and values to use technology for good.

FIRST as a Cultural Institution:
Kamen envisions FIRST becoming an intrinsic part of the culture in the US and worldwide, making life more exciting and preparing children for a sophisticated environment in 2050.

Importance of Expanding Innovation:
Expanding innovation is crucial for the United States to maintain its competitive edge and address challenges such as climate change and healthcare.

Dean Kamen’s Role in Expanding Innovation:
Dean Kamen is recognized for his dedication to expanding innovation opportunities across the country.

Kamen’s Work:
Kamen’s work focuses on making innovation accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds and locations, thereby fostering a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.

Kamen’s Impact:
Kamen’s efforts have had a profound impact, inspiring and empowering individuals to pursue innovative ideas and contribute to solving global challenges.

Conclusion:
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Dean Kamen share a common goal of expanding innovation opportunities to drive progress and address societal needs.