The Smithsonian's Eric Hintz reveals why he featured Hartford as one of six places of invention in a special exhibition at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. Find out how Samuel Colt, Elisha Root, and Mark Twain figure into the story and the ingredients he's discovered that mark Connecticut as a standout place of invention in the late 19th century.

Visit ctexplored.org/listen for links to stories of invention, including episode 19's interview with Connecticut Historical Society curator Ilene Frank about their exhibition, "Connecticut Innovates!," on view through March 25, 2017.

Thank you to Eric Hintz and the Smithsonian's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, and Jody Blankenship and the Connecticut Historical Society. This episode was produced by Elizabeth Normen and Patrick O'Sullivan.

Make a gift to support Grating the Nutmeg at ctexplored.org/friends and use coupon code "gratingthenutmeg" to designate your gift. Gifts will be shared between Connecticut Explored and the state historian for outreach.

22. The Smithsonian's Eric Hintz: HARTFORD AS A PLACE OF INVENTION