The European Patent Office has announced the nominees for its annual European Inventor Award.
The 15 nominees across five categories include lifetime-achievement nominations for Professor Josef Bille from the University of Heidelberg, who is "considered the the father of laser eye corrections" and Italian entrepreneur Mario Polegato, founder of the company GEOX.
"Polegato’s determination to find a better solution to smelling feet has led to an improved vapour-permeable shoe that turned the footwear industry on its head," said the EPO in its release.
The winners will be announced on June 14. Details on the nominees, including photos and some TV footage, can be found on the
EPO press channel.