Kid Inventors Day is celebrated every year on January 17: the birthday of one of America's all-time greatest inventors, Benjamin Franklin, who began dreaming up designs at the mere age of 12! Franklin isn't the only child whose inventions changed our world. Many of today's most popular gizmos and gadgets - like television, earmuffs and the Popsicle, to name a few - were all thought up by kids.

Today, we're celebrating the ingenuity and creativity of children by honoring some of GoComics' very own wise-beyond-their-years kid inventors.

As Thatababy reminds us, one of the most important qualities in any inventor is the ability to put a new, innovative twist(y straw) on average things.

Thatababy by Paul Trap

Like Calvin, many young geniuses are often misunderstood and ahead of their time.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

The best part of being an inventor is using your brainpower to do some good in the world:

Lio by Mark Tatulli

And to help you further your goals (like Nate's goal of getting a girlfriend):

Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce

Then comes the truly fun part: getting to sell your finished product:

FoxTrot by Bill Amend

For more inspiration and fun for kids, check out these two innovative reads from our publishing division:

Candy Experiments by Loralee Leavitt

Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things by Cy Tymony