A Day with Women Inventors
Alice H. Parker invented the central heating system as a "new and improved heating furnace" in 1919. Credit: African American Inventors and Innovators
Marion Donovan invented the first disposable diaper. Credit: US Patent Office
Sarah Boone invented the first ironing board. Credit: US Patent Office
Marjorie Joyner invented what she called the "Permanent Waving Machine," to curl hair in the style we now call a perm. Credit: Great Female Inventors
Melitta Bentz invented the coffee filter in her home. Credit: NY Times
Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first home security system with peepholes, two-way communication, television, and a button that notified the police directly. Credit: US Patent Office
Mary Anderson, a woman who did not drive, invented the windshield wiper. Credit: US Patent Office
Toll House Postcard
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Ruth Graves Wakefield's Toll House, in Whitman, Massachusetts, is pictured on a postcard. After graduating from the Normal School's Department of Household Arts in 1924, Ruth Graves Wakefield worked as a dietician and food lecturer. In 1930, she published Ruth Wakefield's Recipes: Tried and True, which went through 39 printings. One of her recipes was for the tollhouse chocolate crunch cookie, named for the Toll House Inn, a restaurant and boarding house she owned with her husband, Ken Wakefield. To this day, Nestlé prints both her recipe and the Toll House story on the back of its chocolate chip packages. In 1969, she donated her cookbook collection to the college.
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Ruth Graves Wakefield's Toll House, in Whitman, Massachusetts, is pictured on a postcard. After graduating from the Normal School's Department of Household Arts in 1924, Ruth Graves Wakefield worked as a dietician and food lecturer. In 1930, she published Ruth Wakefield's Recipes: Tried and True, which went through 39 printings. One of her recipes was for the tollhouse chocolate crunch cookie, named for the Toll House Inn, a restaurant and boarding house she owned with her husband, Ken Wakefield. To this day, Nestlé prints both her recipe and the Toll House story on the back of its chocolate chip packages. In 1969, she donated her cookbook collection to the college.
Katherine Burr Blodgett invented an improved camera lens that allowed 99% of light to pass through glass. Credit: Edison Tech Center
Josephine Cochran invented the first commercially successful dishwasher. Credit: US Patent Office
Margaret Knight was the first woman to hold a patent, one including the machine used to make the first flat-bottomed paper bag. Credit: MoMa
Biographies
Mary Anderson
Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper in 1903. She pitched her idea to a Canadian manufacturer who thought there was no use in the product. 10 years later windshield wipers came with every car. Anderson never made any profit from her invention.
Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper in 1903. She pitched her idea to a Canadian manufacturer who thought there was no use in the product. 10 years later windshield wipers came with every car. Anderson never made any profit from her invention.
Mary Anderson
Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper in 1903. She pitched her idea to a Canadian manufacturer who thought there was no use in the product. 10 years later windshield wipers came with every car. Anderson never made any profit from her invention.
Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper in 1903. She pitched her idea to a Canadian manufacturer who thought there was no use in the product. 10 years later windshield wipers came with every car. Anderson never made any profit from her invention.
Margaret Knight
Margaret Knight invented the machine to create flat-bottomed paper bags after working at a textile mill and getting familiar with the machinery. Knight was one of the first women to hold a patent.
Margaret Knight invented the machine to create flat-bottomed paper bags after working at a textile mill and getting familiar with the machinery. Knight was one of the first women to hold a patent.
Margaret Knight
Margaret Knight invented the machine to create flat-bottomed paper bags after working at a textile mill and getting familiar with the machinery. Knight was one of the first women to hold a patent.
Margaret Knight invented the machine to create flat-bottomed paper bags after working at a textile mill and getting familiar with the machinery. Knight was one of the first women to hold a patent.
Josephine Cochrane
Josephine Cochrane invented the dishwashing machine, taking after her father and grandfather who were both engineers. While she was a socialite and not formally trained, she was inspired to work out her design after her husband died and left her in debt. Her inspiration for her invention was to create a method in washing china without it chipping.
Josephine Cochrane invented the dishwashing machine, taking after her father and grandfather who were both engineers. While she was a socialite and not formally trained, she was inspired to work out her design after her husband died and left her in debt. Her inspiration for her invention was to create a method in washing china without it chipping.
Josephine Cochrane
Josephine Cochrane invented the dishwashing machine, taking after her father and grandfather who were both engineers. While she was a socialite and not formally trained, she was inspired to work out her design after her husband died and left her in debt. Her inspiration for her invention was to create a method in washing china without it chipping.
Josephine Cochrane invented the dishwashing machine, taking after her father and grandfather who were both engineers. While she was a socialite and not formally trained, she was inspired to work out her design after her husband died and left her in debt. Her inspiration for her invention was to create a method in washing china without it chipping.
Ruth Wakefield
Ruth Wakefield created the original Toll House Cookie Dough recipe. The cookie dough served in Wakefield's restaurant became a staple to help people cope with The Great Depression
Ruth Wakefield created the original Toll House Cookie Dough recipe. The cookie dough served in Wakefield's restaurant became a staple to help people cope with The Great Depression
Ruth Wakefield
Ruth Wakefield created the original Toll House Cookie Dough recipe. The cookie dough served in Wakefield's restaurant became a staple to help people cope with The Great Depression
Ruth Wakefield created the original Toll House Cookie Dough recipe. The cookie dough served in Wakefield's restaurant became a staple to help people cope with The Great Depression
Melitta Bentz
Melitta Bentz invented the first coffee filter. Her inspiration came from the annoyance of sipping coffee grounds in each sip of coffee. She and her family later founded the Melitta Group, now a billion dollar company.
Melitta Bentz invented the first coffee filter. Her inspiration came from the annoyance of sipping coffee grounds in each sip of coffee. She and her family later founded the Melitta Group, now a billion dollar company.
Melitta Bentz
Melitta Bentz invented the first coffee filter. Her inspiration came from the annoyance of sipping coffee grounds in each sip of coffee. She and her family later founded the Melitta Group, now a billion dollar company.
Melitta Bentz invented the first coffee filter. Her inspiration came from the annoyance of sipping coffee grounds in each sip of coffee. She and her family later founded the Melitta Group, now a billion dollar company.
Sarah Boone
Sarah Boone invented the first ironing board, and was the first African American woman to receive a patent in the US. Boone was born a slave, and once she was freed, became a dressmaker. Her skills in dressmaking helped her understand exactly how an ironing board should be designed.
Sarah Boone invented the first ironing board, and was the first African American woman to receive a patent in the US. Boone was born a slave, and once she was freed, became a dressmaker. Her skills in dressmaking helped her understand exactly how an ironing board should be designed.
Sarah Boone
Sarah Boone invented the first ironing board, and was the first African American woman to receive a patent in the US. Boone was born a slave, and once she was freed, became a dressmaker. Her skills in dressmaking helped her understand exactly how an ironing board should be designed.
Sarah Boone invented the first ironing board, and was the first African American woman to receive a patent in the US. Boone was born a slave, and once she was freed, became a dressmaker. Her skills in dressmaking helped her understand exactly how an ironing board should be designed.
Marie Van Brittan Brown
Marie Brown invented the first home security system featuring the first closed-circut television. Her inspiration for her invention came from her fear of leaving her home in Queens at night while she was working. She knew that the police in the area typically responded slowly, so she took matters into her own hands.
Marie Brown invented the first home security system featuring the first closed-circut television. Her inspiration for her invention came from her fear of leaving her home in Queens at night while she was working. She knew that the police in the area typically responded slowly, so she took matters into her own hands.
Marie Van Brittan Brown
Marie Brown invented the first home security system featuring the first closed-circut television. Her inspiration for her invention came from her fear of leaving her home in Queens at night while she was working. She knew that the police in the area typically responded slowly, so she took matters into her own hands.
Marie Brown invented the first home security system featuring the first closed-circut television. Her inspiration for her invention came from her fear of leaving her home in Queens at night while she was working. She knew that the police in the area typically responded slowly, so she took matters into her own hands.
Marion Donovan
Marion Donovan invented the first disposable diaper. Donovan grew up in her family's factory and had a knack for seeing how things worked. She invented the disposable diaper upon having children, and pitched her idea for 10 years before it got picked up by the company that is now Pampers.
Marion Donovan invented the first disposable diaper. Donovan grew up in her family's factory and had a knack for seeing how things worked. She invented the disposable diaper upon having children, and pitched her idea for 10 years before it got picked up by the company that is now Pampers.
Marion Donovan
Marion Donovan invented the first disposable diaper. Donovan grew up in her family's factory and had a knack for seeing how things worked. She invented the disposable diaper upon having children, and pitched her idea for 10 years before it got picked up by the company that is now Pampers.
Marion Donovan invented the first disposable diaper. Donovan grew up in her family's factory and had a knack for seeing how things worked. She invented the disposable diaper upon having children, and pitched her idea for 10 years before it got picked up by the company that is now Pampers.
Katharine Blodgett
Katharine Blodgett was an engineer at GE who improved camera lenses. She specialized in monomolecular coatings and transformed how we now see movies, and even see through glasses.
Katharine Blodgett was an engineer at GE who improved camera lenses. She specialized in monomolecular coatings and transformed how we now see movies, and even see through glasses.
Katharine Blodgett
Katharine Blodgett was an engineer at GE who improved camera lenses. She specialized in monomolecular coatings and transformed how we now see movies, and even see through glasses.
Katharine Blodgett was an engineer at GE who improved camera lenses. She specialized in monomolecular coatings and transformed how we now see movies, and even see through glasses.
Alice Parker
Alice Parker invented the first central heating system using natural gas. She was frustrated with having to constantly worry about the furnace, so she created a way that she did not have to be constantly getting wood to heat her home.
Alice Parker invented the first central heating system using natural gas. She was frustrated with having to constantly worry about the furnace, so she created a way that she did not have to be constantly getting wood to heat her home.
Alice Parker
Alice Parker invented the first central heating system using natural gas. She was frustrated with having to constantly worry about the furnace, so she created a way that she did not have to be constantly getting wood to heat her home.
Alice Parker invented the first central heating system using natural gas. She was frustrated with having to constantly worry about the furnace, so she created a way that she did not have to be constantly getting wood to heat her home.
Marjorie Joyner
Marjorie Joyner invented curing irons. Joyner opened a beauty salon with her husband and was familiar with black hair care. Inspiration came to her when she was making a pot roast and saw how the hot rods could be used to curl hair.
Marjorie Joyner invented curing irons. Joyner opened a beauty salon with her husband and was familiar with black hair care. Inspiration came to her when she was making a pot roast and saw how the hot rods could be used to curl hair.
Marjorie Joyner
Marjorie Joyner invented curing irons. Joyner opened a beauty salon with her husband and was familiar with black hair care. Inspiration came to her when she was making a pot roast and saw how the hot rods could be used to curl hair.
Marjorie Joyner invented curing irons. Joyner opened a beauty salon with her husband and was familiar with black hair care. Inspiration came to her when she was making a pot roast and saw how the hot rods could be used to curl hair.
Stephanie Kwolek
Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar, a high performance fiber used in protective gear, while she was at DuPont working as a chemist. She was inspired by her mother, who was always interested in fabrics and sewing.
Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar, a high performance fiber used in protective gear, while she was at DuPont working as a chemist. She was inspired by her mother, who was always interested in fabrics and sewing.
Stephanie Kwolek
Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar, a high performance fiber used in protective gear, while she was at DuPont working as a chemist. She was inspired by her mother, who was always interested in fabrics and sewing.
Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar, a high performance fiber used in protective gear, while she was at DuPont working as a chemist. She was inspired by her mother, who was always interested in fabrics and sewing.
Emily Roebling
Emily Roebling helped carry on her husband's work on the Brooklyn Bridge after his passing. Roebling took over her husband's position as Chief Engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge while he was bedridden for 10 years. She and her family were responsible for the project's completion.
Emily Roebling helped carry on her husband's work on the Brooklyn Bridge after his passing. Roebling took over her husband's position as Chief Engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge while he was bedridden for 10 years. She and her family were responsible for the project's completion.
Emily Roebling
Emily Roebling helped carry on her husband's work on the Brooklyn Bridge after his passing. Roebling took over her husband's position as Chief Engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge while he was bedridden for 10 years. She and her family were responsible for the project's completion.
Emily Roebling helped carry on her husband's work on the Brooklyn Bridge after his passing. Roebling took over her husband's position as Chief Engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge while he was bedridden for 10 years. She and her family were responsible for the project's completion.
Dr. Patricia Bath
Dr. Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe to be used for cataract treatment. She is the first Aftrican American female doctor to be granted a patent.
Dr. Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe to be used for cataract treatment. She is the first Aftrican American female doctor to be granted a patent.
Dr. Patricia Bath
Dr. Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe to be used for cataract treatment. She is the first Aftrican American female doctor to be granted a patent.
Dr. Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe to be used for cataract treatment. She is the first Aftrican American female doctor to be granted a patent.
Gertrude Elion
Gertrude Elion was a pioneer in developing drugs to treat AIDS, herpes, and organ transplants. She was a Nobel Prize recipient.
Gertrude Elion was a pioneer in developing drugs to treat AIDS, herpes, and organ transplants. She was a Nobel Prize recipient.
Gertrude Elion
Gertrude Elion was a pioneer in developing drugs to treat AIDS, herpes, and organ transplants. She was a Nobel Prize recipient.
Gertrude Elion was a pioneer in developing drugs to treat AIDS, herpes, and organ transplants. She was a Nobel Prize recipient.
Lise Meitner
Lise Meitner discovered nuclear fission, the foundation for nuclear power, along with Otto Hahn.
Lise Meitner discovered nuclear fission, the foundation for nuclear power, along with Otto Hahn.
Lise Meitner
Lise Meitner discovered nuclear fission, the foundation for nuclear power, along with Otto Hahn.
Lise Meitner discovered nuclear fission, the foundation for nuclear power, along with Otto Hahn.
Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers
Mother-daughter-duo Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers invented the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Both wanted to help individuals understand their differences and draw light to the beauty of diversity through psychology.
Mother-daughter-duo Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers invented the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Both wanted to help individuals understand their differences and draw light to the beauty of diversity through psychology.
Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers
Mother-daughter-duo Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers invented the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Both wanted to help individuals understand their differences and draw light to the beauty of diversity through psychology.
Mother-daughter-duo Katherine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers invented the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Both wanted to help individuals understand their differences and draw light to the beauty of diversity through psychology.