TWC hosts award-winning inventor

The Auburn University Thomas Walter Center for Technology Management (TWC) recently hosted Daniel Henderson, a National Academy of Inventors fellow, as a guest speaker in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s Business-Engineering-Technology Program.

Henderson spoke with students and faculty about technology, the innovation process, and the ability to predict changes in technology.

The presentation detailed the history and production of the cell phone and video messaging, which he has been awarded 31 patents for during his career. He also encouraged students to remember history and look to the future to move forward.

“It’s important for us to be rooted in the history of the past and what got us here today, as well as practical about how we solve problems today and visionary about what we dream to be tomorrow,” Henderson told the students.

In addition, he noted that AI self-driving cars will lead to fundamental changes in the insurance industry in the coming decades. He encouraged students to think about solutions ahead of time for consequences that may arise from innovations.

“We can use that to be very early innovators to create solutions before the problems even occur,” Henderson said.

Henderson offered advice to students, encouraging them to work in the industry through which they want to succeed and to learn from others before them.

“Learn from others, get a meaningful job and work in industry, understand the industry you are working in, and hone your skill set,” he said.

Henderson also made his rounds on campus. He met with members of the New Venture Accelerator, IPX, Auburn’s Makerspace, the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS) and Engineering Acting Associate Dean for Research Allan David.