For over 30 years, FIRST^® has evolved into a global movement by engaging millions of people with a proven game-changer for preparing kids to solve the world’s greatest problems.

Past games, challenges, and winning teams

FIRST® Tech Challenge Game History Inspire Award Winners

Notable moments in FIRST^® history in Dean's words

1951	“Life is so short. We shouldn’t waste any of it trying to do anything marginal.” Dean Kamen is born.
1956	“Solving problems is what good inventing is all about.” Dean creates his first invention - a bed-making machine.
1989	“Let’s make something new.” FIRST® is incorporated.
1995 - 2002	“Keep trying, keep taking the best shots, learn from them, pick yourself up.” EPCOT hosts FIRST® Championship
1996	“I think an education Is not only important, it is the most important thing you can do with your life.” Inaugural FIRST® Scholarship made available by Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
1998	“Once a kid realizes they have the power to create a solution to a problem, it’s transformative. They’ll never go back.” FIRST® and LEGO® join forces to launch junior robotics program with 200 teams in the pilot.
2004 - 2010	“We are the only sport that every kid in school can participate in and then turn pro.” Georgia Dome hosts FIRST® Championship
2005	“If you start to do things you’ve never done before, you’re probably going to fail at least some of the time. And I say that’s OK.” FIRST® Tech Challenge is introduced as pilot to provide a more accessible FIRST® experience.
2007	“No, the Secret Service has no sense of humor.” U.S. President George W. Bush honors FIRST® teams at the White House.
2012	“Make it loud.” Global Music Artist, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist will.i.am honors FIRST as part of the Super Bowl halftime show. The technology he wore on field was created by a FIRST Alum.
2017	“Most of the time you will fail but you will also occasionally succeed. These occasional successes make all the hard work and sacrifice worthwhile.” A dual FIRST® Championship structure is scheduled.