From Thomas Edison’s light bulb to Wilbur and Orville Wright’s flying machine, inventors and inventions transform the way we communicate, travel and live our daily lives–thanks to the creative process of innovation. That process is highlighted in an educational video series released today.

Innovation is defined by more than a single event or brilliant idea. It’s about a process, a series of steps that anyone from a garage tinkerer to a federally funded scientist can take to discover new solutions that meet pressing needs or that add value in new ways to existing products, services or technologies.

In celebration of the 165th birthday of one of America’s greatest innovators, Thomas Edison, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and NBC Learn (the educational arm of NBC News), launched an 11-part series narrated by NBC News’ Ann Curry highlighting innovators from across the country.

Titled “Science of Innovation,” the series features scientists and engineers working on innovative projects across industries such as health care, energy, transportation, agriculture and more. “Science of Innovation” is a continuation of the Emmy-winning NSF-NBC “Science of…” partnership that has produced five other educational video series.