The Dayton Inventors River Walk at RiverScape MetroPark celebrates Dayton’s history of invention, against a backdrop of sweeping views of the Great Miami River. Taking a casual walk down the park’s esplanade will bring you to seven over-sized sculptures, called Invention Stations, and more than 150 brick tiles commemorating innovations dreamed up right here in the Miami Valley that have forever changed our world. The Invention Stations are whimsical, interactive public art pieces that serve to keep things interesting in between activities such as ice skating in the winter or renting bikes in the summer for downtown denizens out for a day in the great urban outdoors.
The River Walk begins at the northeast corner of Main Street and Monument Avenue with an 8-inch by 8-inch brick medallion in the pavement. This medallion claims Dayton to be the Innovation Capital of the World, by virtue of the fact that Dayton, throughout much of its history, has had more inventions per capita than any city in the United States. This acclaim was first achieved, not in the wondrous years of the Wright Brothers and Charles F. Kettering, but earlier, in the 1800s.
The brick medallions continue down Monument Avenue and Patterson Boulevard leading the way along the walk and telling the stories of other Dayton inventors. These stories include that of Joe Desch, who cracked the German “Enigma” code and put the Allies on course for victory in World War II, as well as the origins of cellophane, digital watches, recycled newsprint, Freon and “Star Wars” technology.
Cash Register
John Patterson, founder of NCR, did not invent the cash register, as many people assume. Patterson was an entrepreneur who bought the patent from the two Dayton brothers who had invented the “Incorruptible Cashier.”
Ice Cube Trays
So many of Dayton’s inventions have become common in our daily lives. Vincent G. Apple brought electricity to rural homes; Dr. William H. Charch invented cellophane; E.R. Churchwell, working in the Biltmore Hotel, developed the first collapsible baby crib. The ice cube tray is another such invention. Arthur Frei, working at Frigidaire, developed 23 patents on the ice cube tray.
Search Engine
When searching on the Internet for “MetroParks and RiverScape or Van Cleve Park not Deeds Point,” you’ll not only find some great websites, but you’ll be employing the Boolean search method that was developed in downtown Dayton.
Automobile Self Starter
Charles F. Kettering led the automotive world in innovation for decades and was a prolific inventor. Vincent G. Apple holds the record for the greatest number of patents in Dayton at 350. Prior to Kettering’s invention, drivers frequently broke their arms crank-starting their cars.
Reflexive Analysis
The inventors river walk is a great demonstration of the kinds of businesses that were birthed in and informed Dayton’s industry over time. The inventions listed above along with many others out of Dayton, including the Yellow Pages, could provide inspiration or a new angle to explore later when connecting the project back to Dayton and its community. There is also valuable information here that would allow for celebration of the innovative history of the area, rather than just that of flight. I find the fact that Dayton held the most patents per capita to be quite interesting and if the project moves in such a way that there is an opportunity, I would like to explore this history further.
Sources
Dayton Inventors River Walk. Five Rivers MetroParks. (2023, January 20). https://www.metroparks.org/river-walk/
