AUGUSTA — The Kennebec Historical Society’s March public presentation “How Maine Changed the World” is planned for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church St.

The free talk will center on the achievements of some prominent as well as nearly-forgotten or never-known Mainers who materially changed the world, according to a news release from the society.

Many people will remember Margaret Chase Smith’s “Declaration of Conscience” delivered on the Senate floor to oppose the actions of her colleague Sen. Joseph McCarthy, but fewer people may know that Maine inventors F.E. and F.O. Stanley provided the photographic plate that made Eastman-Kodak successful, or that Chester Greenwood gave the world earmuff. Probably still fewer could name the inventor of the zig-zag stitch for sewing machines that revolutionized commercial sewing forever.

Maine’s unique contributions include the microwave, the Maine coon cat, Moxie, the “bridge in a bag” and the Clean Water Act.

Guest speakers will be Nancy Griffin of Thomaston, a former newspaper and wire service reporter who has been a freelance writer for magazines and newspapers for more than 20 years. She is the author of four books, “The Remarkable Stanley Brothers,” “Making Whoopies,” “Maine 101” and “Fifty Things to Do in Maine before You Die.”

Donations will be accepted.

For more information, call the society at 622-7718.