As we delve into National Women's History Month, it's a prime occasion to celebrate the remarkable contributions of women inventors and entrepreneurs. Their innovations have significantly shaped our lives, and it's time to recognize their invaluable efforts.
In a report released by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in July 2020, several key findings shed light on the increasing presence of women in the innovation landscape:
- The percentage of single woman inventor patents rose from 20.7% in 2016 to 21.9% by the end of 2019.
- There's a notable upward trend in the number of women entering and actively participating in the patent system.
- Woman inventors receiving patents increased from 12.1% in 2016 to 12.8% in 2019.
In the spirit of Women's History Month, let's reflect on some pivotal inventions by women that have revolutionized the world we live in:
- Circular Saw - Tabitha Babbitt (1812): While working as a weaver in the Shaker community, Babbitt observed the challenges people faced with the pit saw. She ingeniously attached a circular blade to a spinning wheel, birthing the circular saw, a tool that simplified woodcutting.
- Computer Algorithm - Ada Lovelace (1843): Lovelace's insightful notes, added during the translation of her mathematics professor's lectures, resulted in the creation of the world's first computer algorithm.
- Dishwasher - Josephine Cochran (1872): Tired of scrubbing dishes manually, Cochran devised a dishwasher that utilized water pressure, pioneering a more efficient way to clean dishes.
- Life Raft - Maria Beasley (1882): Beasley's innovative life raft design, equipped with guard rails and fireproof materials, saved over 700 lives during the Titanic disaster.
- Fire Escape - Anna Connelly (1887): Connelly's external metal staircase provided a vital means of escape during fires, prompting revisions to building codes for enhanced safety.
- Medical Syringe - Letitia Geer (1899): Geer's one-handed syringe revolutionized medical practices, offering a more convenient method for administering injections.
- Windshield Wiper - Mary Anderson (1903): Anderson's windshield cleaning device, initially rejected by manufacturers, eventually became a standard feature in automobiles.
- Monopoly Game - Elizabeth Magie (1904): Magie's "The Landlord's Game" aimed to illustrate the perils of unchecked capitalism, laying the groundwork for the iconic Monopoly game.
- Bullet-Proof Fiber - Stephanie Kwolek (1966): Kwolek's discovery of Kevlar, a lightweight and durable fiber, has saved countless lives through its applications in various industries, including bullet-proof vests.
- Word Processor - Evelyn Berezin (1971): Berezin's creation of the first word processor revolutionized document processing, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit as she founded Redactron to protect her invention.
Source: WBEC
Photo: Getty