The first names that spring to mind when we think of great innovations and the people who created them are Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers. We may not be familiar with many female inventors, but that does not diminish their significance. Women sometimes had to fight for the patents or credit they deserved. Margaret Knight, for example, had her concept stolen and had to go to court to defend her originality.
1. Caller ID, Call Waiting – Dr Shirley Ann Jackson
Dr Shirley Ann Jackson is a theoretical physicist who holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to receive a PhD from MIT. Caller ID and call waiting are the results of her research from the 1970s. Dr Shirley Ann Jackson’s groundbreaking research also aided in the development of items such as portable fax machines, fibre optic cables, and solar cells.
2. Dishwasher – Josephine Cochrane
Josephine Cochrane desired a device that would wash the dishes more quickly than her employees and would be less likely to break them. As a result, she resolved to create one herself. In 1917, Josephine patented her innovation and established her own factory.
3. Kevlar – Stephanie Kwolek
Stephanie Kwolek, a chemist, was the first to create the lightweight, 5 times stronger than steel substance in 1965. This technology can be found in a variety of items, including bullet-proof vests, body armor, and home gloves. Mobile phones, airplanes, and suspension bridges all use Kevlar.
4. The modern bra – Caresse Crosby (born Mary Phelps Jacob)
Mary Phelps Jacob was 19 years old when she was getting ready for a ball in 1910. She put on a corset as usual, but this time it protruded from beneath her gown. The first simple bra was invented after Mary asked her maid to fetch her two handkerchiefs and a ribbon. In 1914, she received a patent for her idea.
5. The curling iron – Theora Stephens
In 1980, African American hairdresser Theora Stephens invented a more effective pressing and the curling iron.
6. The fire escape – Anna Connelly
We don’t know much about Anna Connelly’s life, but we do know that her fire escape bridge was a forerunner to today’s fire escapes. Anna patented her invention in 1887, and it is currently an important part of city safety procedures.
7. The car heater – Margaret A. Wilcox
In 1893, Margaret A. Wilcox invented the first automobile heater. Her discovery laid the groundwork for today’s automobile heaters, which keep us warm on frigid winter days.
8. Life rafts – Maria Beasley
Maria Beasley devised a new life raft design that was far safer and more effective. In 1882, she received a patent for her innovation. Maria Beasley went on to design the barrel-hooping machine, which made her quite wealthy.
9. Computer algorithm – Ada Lovelace
Ada King-Noel, Lord Byron’s daughter, was a skilled mathematician. At the University of London, Countess Lovelace and Charles Babbage collaborated on the analytical engine. She devised a method for programming the machine that relied on mathematical procedures. To put it another way, she created the first “computer program.”
10. Wireless transmission – Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr was a well-known Hollywood actress who also happened to be an inventor. She and George Antheil created a radio guidance device to prevent torpedoes from being thrown off course during World War II. This invention was not used until 1962 due to technical limitations. The wireless transmission method developed by Hedy Lamarr influenced the creation of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
11. Central heating – Alice Parker
In 1919, Alice Parker, an inventor, created a gas-powered central heating system. Even though her design was never realized, it was a game-changing concept that paved the way for modern central heating systems.
12. Scotchgard – Patsy Sherman
Patsy Sherman was a co-inventor of Scotchgard and an American chemist. She spilled a fluorochemical rubber on an assistant’s shoe while working at the 3M firm. They later discovered that the stain did not modify the color of the shoe and that it repelled water, oil, and other liquids. The Scotchgard invention began as a result of this mishap.
13. The windscreen wiper – Mary Anderson
Mary Anderson remarked that her driver had to open the window and clear the snow off the windscreen with his hands when she visited New York in 1903. It was both inconvenient and unsafe for both the driver and the passengers. Mary Anderson wanted to find a solution, so she invented the windscreen wiper in 1903. Mary’s invention was never commercialized because car makers did not believe in it.
14. Computer software – Grace Hopper
Grace Hopper was an American computer scientist and rear admiral in the United States Navy. She created the compiler, a program that converts written language into computer code. The terms “bug” and “debugging” were coined by Grace Hopper. She was a member of the development of COBOL, one of the earliest contemporary programming languages, in 1959.
15. Space station batteries – Olga D. Gonzalez-Sanabria
Olga.D Gonzalez-Sanabria is a scientist and inventor from Puerto Rico. She produced technology in the 1980s that aided in the development of the nickel-hydrogen battery with long cycle life. These batteries aided in the power supply of the International Space Station.
16. The paper bag – Margaret Knight
Margaret Knight was working at a paper bag business in 1867 when she discovered that women had to glue envelope-style paper flat-bottomed by hand. Margaret Knight decided to build a machine that could make flat-bottomed paper bags because it was cumbersome and time-consuming. In 1879, she received a patent for her innovation.
17. Monopoly – Elizabeth Magie
The rules of this famous board game were created by Elizabeth Magie. She intended to use a game to show the flaws of capitalism. Landlord’s Game was the first game, and it was patented in 1924. The Parker Brothers, who purchased Elizabeth Magie’s invention, debuted Monopoly as we know it in 1935.
18. Disposable diapers – Marion Donovan
Marion Donovan made a waterproof diaper cover out of a normal shower curtain in 1946. In 1949, she patented her device and eventually sold it for $1 million to the Keko Corporation.
Did you know that a woman invented any of these inventions? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
Preview photo credit Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Commons, Auckland Museum/Wikimedia Commons
