1992
May - The 1st Edison Inventors Conference and Showcase held at Harborside Convention Hall.The Inventors "Wall of Fame" is exhibited for the first time.
July - The organizational meeting of the Edison Inventors Club co founded by Bernie Cousino and Phil Amico.
Fifty two interested participants sign on as charter members.
June - Intellectual Property Round Table Discussion presented by local patent attorneys for members.
Aug. - City of Fort Myers encourages Edison/Ford Estates to support newly formed inventors club allowing monthly meetings in the prestigious Edison Museum.
Dec. - Edison Inventors Newsletter takes shape.
Inventors Wall of Fame finds home in the Edison Museum where it is exhibited to thousands.
1993 May - General James Dozier assists the E.I. Club in establishing an Inventors Merit Badge for the Boy Scouts of America
July/August Issue of Inventors' Digest , the national inventors' magazine, features Bernie Cousino's life as an inventor and his aspirations to promote creativity in the spirit of Thomas Edison. Future issues provide ongoing recognition and support to this organization and it's goals.
Oct. - 2nd Edison Inventors and Entrepreneurs Conference and Showcase, Harborside Convention
Nov. - By Laws are approved by the State of Florida
Dec. - Official date of incorporation as a non profit in the State of Florida.
1994 Feb. - E.I.A., Inc. members help judge Edison Youth Inventors Fair .
Mar. - Naples Entrepreneurial Enterprise Development (NEED) becomes spin off of the E.I.A., Inc.
Aug. - Membership grows to 135 participants.
Sept. - INVENTURE PLACE VIP's and U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Representative addresses members at special programs.
Oct. - Official date of (501)(c)(3) IRS recognition.
Dec. - Our dedicated and beloved cofounder and chairman, Bernard A. Cousino, passes away at his desk while working on his latest invention. A champion of inventors, Bernie was 92 years young.
1995 Jan. - The Bernard A. Cousino Memorial Fund is established
Feb. - The Edison Youth Inventors Fair showcases the talents with a growing number of student participants.
The Edison Festival of Light invites the association to participate in the Pageant's Parade.
Non Profit Bulk Mailing Permit is accepted by the U.S. Postal Service.
June - E.I.A., Inc. inventors selected by U.S. P.T.O. to be interviewed about current & future patent office services. Representatives come to Ft. Myers and spend a day discussing issues with E.I.A. members.
Oct. - The 3rd Edison Inventors Conference and Showcase
1996 Jan. - Suzanne Duret-Hazen donates 2000 copies of her book INVENTING FOR WEALTH. Members
receive free copy upon joining or renewing. Schools and Public Libraries in Collier and Lee Counties
are provided copies at no charge. Teachers in the Youth Inventors Program to receive copies, too.
E.I.A., Inc becomes official member of the United Inventors Association of the United States of America.
Feb. - Youth Inventors Fair - Over 300 students exhibit at county level.
Apr. - Leon Weed, Chairman of the PTDL committee, attends U.S.Patent & Trademark Depository Library annual conference. The Price Foundation helps underwrite expenses for this remarkable opportunity.
May - The Edison Inventors Newsletter printing reaches an all time high of 700 copies printed. Over 500 are mailed to members and related organizations nationwide. Remaining copies are shared with guests attending monthly meetings, N.E.E.D., and the Edison-Ford Estates.
June - Annual picnic at Lakes Park brings E.I.A. and N.E.E.D. members together for a great networking opportunity.
July - E.I.A. President attends special by invitation only U.S.P.T.O. Program in Washington . Inventor Organization leaders from around the nation have been invited to preview re-engineering of the of the Patent Office and discuss current issues of importance.
October - "Hatch an Idea" Edison Young Inventors Program kicks off with: Jon Pearson, nationally recognized 'creative' speaker sponsored through the Bernard A. Cousino Memorial Fund, addresses thousands of students throughout Southwest Florida.
December - IMAGINARIUM hosts first meeting of the EIA, Inc. membership.
Members having attended the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the Inventure Place give the IMAGINARIUM high marks for it's first rate learning museum.
1997 January - Hard lessons learned with the cancellation of a special Youth Program funding raising event hosting a nationally renown person. Hundreds of hours later with considerable expense and swallowing our pride, we refocus and move on.
Several members receive high standings in the National Mail Order Association's New Product Search
February - Three major events take place to celebrate the Edison Festival of Lights Celebration of the 150th Birthday of Thomas A. Edison: Edison Young Inventors Fair , Edison Mall Inventor Showcase, and Young Inventors Awards Ceremony
May - Founding member Ed Olling is recognized for his major contributions in Project Mercury, the Apollo Program and Skylab.
June - Members focus on patent legislative issues before Congress.
July - James Brooks recognized for his long standing support and ingenious Keyless Door Lock.
September - EIA cosponsors Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Retailing conference in Orlando.
October through December - Volunteers present Young Inventor Programs. The effort flourishes and helps to set the stage for the 1998 Thomas A. Edison Regional Science and Inventors Fairs.
1998 February - Second Edison Mall Inventors Showcase is held.
The largest community effort to date contributes to the biggest and most promising Thomas A. Edison Regional Science and Young Inventors Fairs to date.
March - EIA President invited to judge Silver Burdett Ginn's International Invention Convention competition.
June- New association logo donated by world renown graphic designer and member, Don Davis.
September- EIA, Inc. cosponsors Miami Inventing for Wealth conference. Several members enjoy the diversified programs and great industry contacts are made.
October - December Thousands of students benefit from member presentations supporting the Young Inventors Program and the Thomas A. Edison Regional Science and Young Inventors Fairs. E.I.A. generated Resource Guide for Young Inventor Program is well received by educators and community program sponsors.
1999 February - The largest Edison Young Inventors Fair draws 364 finalists from thousands of regional competitors .
EIA members turn out in force to help judge. The media recognizes the EIA's role in helping to support this program.
March - For the second year, EIA president is invited to the International Invention Convention now sponsored by the Houghton Mifflin Company. Local students are recognized for having made it to the final level of competition.
May - Members continue to benefit from a wide range of great presentations. (See Meeting Information)
Board of Directors working toward a symbiotic relationship with SBDC.
Edison-Ford Estates includes EIA, Inc. in its grant proposals for future renovations.
2000
February - Rudy Garcia Tolsen, "Braveheart", is co sponsored to appear during the Edison Festival of Light Celebration. This outstanding young person is a true inspiration and helps motivate people above their own expectations. The loss of both legs has not stopped Rudy from engaging in and excelling at athletic challenges for people of all ages.
2001
Several members begin to breach marketing barriers and create new businesses or license their products.
2002
The J. Sotenberg Grant Program is established to assist first time EIA member patentees with intellectual property expenses.
EIA members pay tribute to the passing of Ned Tabacco, a founding member who worked tirelessly to serve the association. The Ned Tabacco Outstanding Member Award will recognize a member who goes a step beyond the crowd in serving the goals of the association and the membership.
2003
A motivated Board of Directors feeds new energy into the EIA. A new venue of meetings are offered on Saturdays to provide additional opportunities to fulfill members needs. Formal Identification Badges are provided to members.
Michael Shuman is the first J. Sotenberg Grant Recipient for his business pursuit of the Parkinson's Glove
Nov. - Ligi Tools Tour and joint meeting arranged with the South Florida Inventors Society
2004
This year's Thomas A. Edison Regional Science and Inventors Fairs was the largest and best administered to date. This year's special VIP guests included Dr. Forrest and Pamela Bird.
Membership has grown to 184 before the end of February. Meetings are attended by over 80 members and guests. More members are benefiting from licensing contracts as well as starting new businesses. The attitude is of friendship and effective networking. One for all and all for one!
March - Lee County Bank, an office of Edison National Bank, is now displaying the Ned Tabacco Outstanding Member Plaque. The bank branch is located at 2105 First Street. Three members were selected for 2003: Cathy Solich, Donna Motley, and Don Davis.
2005
Dan Telep, Development Funds Procurement Officer for the Small Business Development Center associated with Florida Gulf Coast University, is the recipient of the 2006 Ned Tabacco Outstanding EIA Member Award. Dan arranged for 10 months of entrepreneurial programs presented to the EIA general membership. His dedication to making this a very worthwhile year of entrepreneurial education is received with much appreciation.
The EIA recognizes the tremendous privilege of holding meetings at the Edison-Ford Winter Estates. Members agree to contribute to the renovation and builfing fund to preserve and enhance the Estates.
The J. Sotenberg Grant is awarded to Ken Waibel for his Best Shave line of products. Ken has aided hundreds of people to date with a product that defies conventional shaving. Best Shave has many uses while providing a remarkably smooth shaving experience. Interested parties can contact the EIA at 239-275-4332.
Hurricane Charley and others have a telling effect on Southwest Florida. A new focus of creativity will undoubtedly arise from the challenges.2006
The 2006 Thomas A Edison Regional Inventors Fair reaches new participation highs. It remains a joy and inspiration to see the creativity of our youth expanding into all areas of our lives. See www.edisonfairs.net for additional information.
EIA membership continues to flourish. The Board of Directors maintain a steadfast influence on educational programming while encouraging recognition of budding as well as outstanding accomplishment.