How the Irish Mind Designed the American Future

History often remembers the great industrial empires, but it rarely looks closely at the blueprints that built them. From the depths of the ocean to the foundations of modern computing, Irish Americans have been the quiet architects of American progress.

Join us for Blueprints of Brilliance, the second installment of our 250 Talk Series as we count down to America's 250th anniversary. This immersive chronological journey explores two centuries of grit and ingenuity, moving beyond the textbook to tell the human stories behind the patents:

The Sea & The Shop: Follow John Philip Holland’s relentless drive to perfect the modern submarine and Mary Dixon Kies the first woman to receive a U.S. Patent in her own name.
The City & The Logic: Discover how Mary Walton silenced the roar of New York’s elevated trains, and how Donegal-born Kay McNulty drafted the foundational logic for the world’s first electronic computer.

From the steam-powered engines of the 1800s to the pioneering code of the mid-20th century, we celebrate the men and women who arrived with a vision and left a legacy that remains hardwired into our lives today.

Join Us In-Person or Online

This is a hybrid event. Whether you join us in the gallery or tune in via Zoom, you'll have the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A session following the presentation.

Date: February 28th, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM
Cost: $5.00
Location: Irish American Museum & Virtual via Zoom

Blueprints of Brilliance: Irish American Innovation Through the Ages