Dec 10, 2025
Alan Lowe interviews Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The
Franklin Institute, as part of a series celebrating 250 years of
American innovation. He joins AMSEcast to discuss the institute’s
1824 origins, its mission to inspire curiosity in science and
technology, and its deep ties to Benjamin Franklin’s legacy. He
highlights major exhibits, including the National Memorial, the
Hamilton Collections Gallery, and historic patent models, and
online series like Ingenious and The Road to 2050. Dubinski
emphasizes fostering lifelong learning, diverse voices, and bold
leadership to sustain innovation.
Episode Highlights
- (1:16) When The Franklin Institute was established and its mission
- (1:58) Why Benjamin Franklin still looms large over so many subjects
- (2:48) How Franklin’s story is preserved and presented at the institute
- (3:33) Why the Baldwin 60000 steam locomotive is such a great engineering innovation
- (6:47) Exploring the museum’s artifacts in “Ingenious: The Evolution of Innovation”
- (8:23) Why the U.S. has such an ability for creating new technologies and creative problem solving
- (9:06) How we can continue being leaders and innovators for the next 250 years
Guest Biography
Larry Dubinski is the President and CEO of The Franklin
Institute in Philadelphia, one of the nation’s oldest and most
respected centers for science education. Since taking the helm in
2014, he has led major initiatives that expand the institute’s
reach, modernize its exhibits, and deepen its role in inspiring
curiosity about science and technology. Under his leadership, The
Franklin Institute has continued to honor Benjamin Franklin’s
legacy while showcasing cutting-edge innovation and educational
programming. A champion of lifelong learning and public engagement
in STEM, Larry brings both vision and passion to the advancement of
science education.
Links Referenced
- The Franklin Institute: FiHome | The Franklin Institute https://fi.edu/