The NASA Standard Initiator, produced by Chemring Energetic Devices in Downers Grove, has been named “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” for 2026, following a public vote in the annual Makers Madness contest. The announcement was made Wednesday by Governor JB Pritzker at a ceremony held at the Governor’s Mansion.
The competition, hosted by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and sponsored by Comcast Business, featured more than 100 nominations from across the state. After eight weeks and nearly 167,000 votes, the NASA Standard Initiator — an electrically activated pyrotechnic device crucial to the recent Artemis II/Orion mission — emerged as the winner.
Manufacturing remains Illinois’ largest economic driver, supporting nearly a third of all jobs and contributing over $580 billion to the state’s economy annually.
Other finalists in the 2026 Makers Madness contest included:
John Deere Combine: Advanced agricultural machinery manufactured by John Deere in East Moline, designed to improve harvesting productivity.
Duck Skimmer: A floating weir skimmer made by Elastec in Carmi, used for environmental protection and safety.
Aerapy PPR HVAC UV System: A rooftop ultraviolet (UV-C) disinfection system from Aerapy in St. Charles, which helps reduce airborne pathogens and boosts HVAC efficiency.
The Makers Madness contest showcases the diversity and innovation of Illinois manufacturing, honoring products that have an impact locally and globally.