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Inventors

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↶ Notable Women

In 1965, Kwolek invented kevlar, a fiber most famously used in bulletproof vests. At first, making kevlar seemed like a mistake; however, due to her persistence and inquistive mind, the world got its strongest, stiffest fiber.

Stephanie Kwolek

For a long time, the game Monopoly was attributed to a man in the 1930’s; however, progressive and feminist Lizzie Magie actually invented the game in 1903. Originally called the Landlord’s Game, she aimed to demonstrate the danger of monopolies and… — For a long time, the game Monopoly was attributed to a man in the 1930’s; however, progressive and feminist Lizzie Magie actually invented the game in 1903. Originally called the Landlord’s Game, she aimed to demonstrate the danger of monopolies and leftist economic thought.

Lizzie Magie

Hoover is best known for inventing a computerized telephone switching method, patented in 1971. Prior to her invention, systems would freeze if they experienced too many calls at once, but she figured out how to get around it. She was also one of th… — Hoover is best known for inventing a computerized telephone switching method, patented in 1971. Prior to her invention, systems would freeze if they experienced too many calls at once, but she figured out how to get around it. She was also one of the first people awarded a software patent.

Erna Shneider Hoover

Blodgett was a physicist and chemist, as well as the first woman to earn a PhD in physics from University of Cambridge. She invented non-reflective, or invisible, glass, which was famously first used in Gone with the Wind for very clear cinematograp… — Blodgett was a physicist and chemist, as well as the first woman to earn a PhD in physics from University of Cambridge. She invented non-reflective, or invisible, glass, which was famously first used in Gone with the Wind for very clear cinematography.

Katharine Burr Blodgett

Graham was the inventor of Liquid Paper. In the 1950s, she worked as a secretary but made a lot of typos that she was unable to fix, so she started painting over her mistakes with a quick-drying white paint mixture.

Betty Nesmith Graham

Telkes invented the first solar-powered heating system, preceding all of our modern uses of solar power. She was so passionate about the sun and solar power that she came to be known as the “Sun Queen.” One of her inventions, solar-powered water dis… — Telkes invented the first solar-powered heating system, preceding all of our modern uses of solar power. She was so passionate about the sun and solar power that she came to be known as the “Sun Queen.” One of her inventions, solar-powered water distillation, was used by the US Military in WW2.

Maria Telkes

Concerned about rising crime rates in her neighborhood, Van Brittan Brown and her husband invented a home security system. The system used a camera and a microphone that fed to a television in their bedroom and allowed Marie to answer the door remot… — Concerned about rising crime rates in her neighborhood, Van Brittan Brown and her husband invented a home security system. The system used a camera and a microphone that fed to a television in their bedroom and allowed Marie to answer the door remotely. She never made a profit on her system, but did patent it.

Marie Van Brittan Brown

Margaret Knight was a American inventor who most famously invented a machine to make flat-bottom paper bags. Prior to her invention, all paper bags were made inefficiently by hand or people would carry goods home in a fragile paper cone or envelope.… — Margaret Knight was a American inventor who most famously invented a machine to make flat-bottom paper bags. Prior to her invention, all paper bags were made inefficiently by hand or people would carry goods home in a fragile paper cone or envelope. A man, Anan, saw her machine in action and patented her machine before her, but she sued him and won.

Margaret Knight

After being stuck in heavy, snowy traffic in 1902, Anderson invented the windshield wiper. Prior to their invention, drivers would get out of the car to wipe of the windshield. As a fiercely independent woman, it took quite a while for her invention… — After being stuck in heavy, snowy traffic in 1902, Anderson invented the windshield wiper. Prior to their invention, drivers would get out of the car to wipe of the windshield. As a fiercely independent woman, it took quite a while for her invention to take off.

Mary Anderson

Sherman was a co-inventor of Scotchgard, a stain and water repellent. She and her coworkers aimed to develop rubber for jet fuel hoses, but found that they had accidentally created a general and powerful solvent repellent.

Patsy O’Connell Sherman

Beulah Louise Henry came up with more than 100 inventions, but is best known for inventing the bobbinless sewing machine. Although she had no formal training, Henry made her living as a inventor and patented 49 of her inventions. She even came to be… — Beulah Louise Henry came up with more than 100 inventions, but is best known for inventing the bobbinless sewing machine. Although she had no formal training, Henry made her living as a inventor and patented 49 of her inventions. She even came to be known as “Lady Edison.”

Beulah Louise Henry

Takeuchi is a chemical engineer and professor, who holds more than 150 U.S. patents. She most notably developed small, safe, and long-lasting batteries to be used in implanted cardiac defibrillators. The batteries now last 5 years, compared to the s… — Takeuchi is a chemical engineer and professor, who holds more than 150 U.S. patents. She most notably developed small, safe, and long-lasting batteries to be used in implanted cardiac defibrillators. The batteries now last 5 years, compared to the single year that most last.

Esther Sans Takeuchi

Jackson was the first African American woman to earn a PhD from MIT with her 1973 doctorate in physics. She’s had an extensive career at AT&T Bell Laboratories, where she worked on semiconductors, and as the president of Rensselaer Polytechnic I… — Jackson was the first African American woman to earn a PhD from MIT with her 1973 doctorate in physics. She’s had an extensive career at AT&T Bell Laboratories, where she worked on semiconductors, and as the president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She was also the first woman or African American chair of the US Nuclear Regulatory Committee.

Shirley Ann Jackson

Parker was an African American inventor who patented the use of natural gas in central heating. Using natural gas was much safer than burning wood and lessened the need to stockpile wood during winter. Prior to her patent, natural gas had been used … — Parker was an African American inventor who patented the use of natural gas in central heating. Using natural gas was much safer than burning wood and lessened the need to stockpile wood during winter. Prior to her patent, natural gas had been used industrially, but Parker brought it into homes and businesses.

Alice H. Parker

Beasley was a prolific inventor, best known for her innovative improvements to life rafts. which was patented in 1882 and used on the Titanic. Her design for life rafts was collapsible, fireproof, and had guardrails, and saved 706 lives in the sinki… — Beasley was a prolific inventor, best known for her innovative improvements to life rafts. which was patented in 1882 and used on the Titanic. Her design for life rafts was collapsible, fireproof, and had guardrails, and saved 706 lives in the sinking of the Titantic.

Maria Beasley