subject: Women Inventors And Their Inventions [print this page] Caroline Lucretia Herschel born in Hanover, Germany in 1750 discovered eight comets and 14 nebulae between the period 1786 and 1797. She was recognized with many awards which includes the prestigious golden medal of the British Royal Astronomic Society in 1828. She also has an asteroid named after her called 281 Lucretia. Women inventors and their inventions were the perfect way for women to come out of hiding and face the world boldly.
Mary Dixon Kites invented the process of weaving straw with silk or thread in the year 1809. She was the first one to receive a US patent issued to a woman. In 1845 another remarkable women, Sarah Mather invented submarine telescope and lamp which was used by the submarines to gauge the depth of the ocean. Another remarkable invention by a woman was by Mary Anderson who invented windshield viper in 1903. She was later granted its patent in 1905. In of her trips to New York City she noticed the struggle by the drivers to open the window and cleaning the windshield to be able to drive in rain and snow, which lead to her invention for a device which can be operated from within the car operated with a switch. Josephine Cochran invented the first practical dishwasher in the year 1893.
Sarah E Goode was the first African American woman to have obtained a patent in 1885 for her invention of folding cabinet bed which can be folded up to save space and also can be used as a desk with compartments to keep stationery and writing supplies.
Katharina Paulus was Germany's first professional air pilot and she developed the "parachute packet" in 1913. She created the first modern parachute by folding it and stowing it in a bag. During World War I she earned a medal since it helped save many lives during the time. Paulus was also the one who invented the system that has one small parachute open to pull out the main one called intentional breakaway.
Dr Enrique Ostrea, born in Philippines invented the methods to test if the infant is exposed to any drug or alcohol during pregnancy. She later immigrated to America in 1968 and continues her amazing contributions in the field of pediatrics and neonatology. Tuan Vo-Dinh, a Vietnamese scientist invented badges that can be optically scanned to determine exposure to toxic chemicals. She also discovered an optical method for cancer detection. She holds around 23 patents in optical diagnostic equipment. She immigrated to United States of America in 1975.
In 2007, Dr. Maire McLoone won the British Female Inventors & Innovators Awards 2007 for her invention of a system to enhance security mechanisms to protect the public from cyber criminals.
Denise Anstey, a disabled lady herself invented a walking stick which can be folded for easy storage and portability. She was frustrated with the difficulties associated with the basic walking stick in terms of portability. The walking stick she invented while allowing convenience also supports with enough firmness and stability. Denise Anstey was conferred with the British Female Inventor of the Year 2009 title for her invention she liked to call Slik Stik. Women inventors and their inventions have made life easy for all of us.
