Franklin Institute Awards
The Franklin Institute Awards is an American science and engineering award presented by the Franklin Institute, a science museum in Philadelphia. The Franklin Institute awards comprises the Benjamin Franklin Medals in seven areas of science and engineering, the Bower Awards and Prize for Achievement in Science, and the Bower Award for Business Leadership. Since 1824, the institute has recognized "world-changing scientists, engineers, inventors, and industrialists—all of whom reflect Benjamin Franklin's spirit of curiosity, ingenuity, and innovation". Some of the noted past laureates include Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Marie Curie, Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking. Some of the 21st century laureates of the institute awards are Bill Gates, James P. Allison, Indra Nooyi, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Blackburn, George Church, Robert S. Langer, and Alex Gorsky.
Douglas Engelbart, inventor of the computer mouse, received the 1999 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics.
Shuji Nakamura, inventor of the blue LED, received the 2002 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics.
John McCarthy, AI pioneer, received the 2003 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer Science.
John Kerry receives the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Leadership in 2016.
The Franklin Institute is a science museum and the center of science education and research in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is named after the American scientist and statesman Benjamin Franklin. It houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Founded in 1824, the Franklin Institute is one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States. Its chief astronomer is Derrick Pitts.
The Franklin Institute in March 2024
The Franklin Institute's original building at 15 South 7th Street
The Franklin 1/2¢ stamp issued at the Franklin Institute on May 19, 1938
The façade of the Franklin Institute in April 2007