Creativity and Invention in Florida

By Linda Tancs

The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention in Gainesville, Florida, is named for Dr. James Robert Cade, lead inventor of the sports drink Gatorade. A prolific inventor, he was also a medical doctor, scientist, musician, writer and poet. His namesake museum (opened in 2018, some years after his death) reflects his creativity and desire to inspire inventors, entrepreneurs and visionaries. The facility’s programs include weekly events for children that introduce them to science concepts and permanent exhibits showcasing life-changing inventions like Gatorade and toilets as well as an audio tour around the rotunda highlighting inventions motivated by factors such as necessity, curiosity, imagination, iteration and serendipity.