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5 Lesser-Known Women Inventors of the 19th Century

lesser known 19th century inventors

Written by

Shirley Jackson

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Did you know that women accounted for less than 1% of patents issued by 1910? Yet, they were the backbone of innovation in the 19th century! Take Sarah Boone, who invented the ironing board—how's that for a wrinkle in history? Or Josephine Cochrane, who forever transformed dishwashing. And let's not forget Sybilla Masters, who patented a corn milling method, albeit under her husband's name. Curious about more unsung pioneers who changed our world? Stick around!

Quick Takeaways

  • Sybilla Masters patented a corn milling method in 1715, but her invention was credited to her husband due to legal restrictions on women.
  • Mary Kies became the first woman to receive a U.S. patent in 1809 for a method of weaving straw with silk or thread.
  • Hedy Lamarr, an actress and inventor, co-developed a frequency-hopping technology in 1941 that laid groundwork for modern wireless communication.
  • Patricia Bath invented a device for cataract surgery in 1986 and was the first African American woman to receive a medical patent.
  • Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis developed a method for improving sanitation and public health through her work on the "Mother's Day Work Clubs" in the 1850s.

Celebrating Women Inventors of the 19th Century

women inventors 19th century

When you think of inventors, does the image of a man in a lab coat come to mind? It's time to shatter that stereotype! In the 19th century, countless women were quietly revolutionizing industries, often without the recognition they deserved. Can you believe that by 1910, women's inventions accounted for less than 1% of all patents issued in the U.S.? Shocking, right?

Despite facing patent obstacles, these remarkable women released a wave of domestic innovations that transformed lives. Take Sarah Boone, for instance. She invented the ironing board, making laundry day feel less like a medieval torture session.

Or consider Mary E. Walton, who crafted a chimney to reduce locomotive smoke. How's that for a refreshing change? Josephine Cochrane's dishwasher also emerged during this era, highlighting the ingenuity of women inventors in transforming household chores.

Yet, many of these innovators worked under the shadow of their husbands' names, thanks to restrictive legalities. Envision pouring your heart and soul into an invention only to be told you can't have credit! That's the reality for women like Sybilla Masters, who became the first American to patent a corn milling method, but only under her husband's name.

Their contributions didn't stop there. Women were integral in improving textiles and household devices that we often take for granted today. Statistical trends indicate that the sheer volume of over 5,500 patents granted to women between 1865 and 1900 stands as a proof of their creativity and resilience.

Innovative Female Pioneers 1800s

trailblazing women of 1800s

As I immerse myself in the world of innovative female pioneers of the 1800s, I'm often left in awe of how these remarkable women took on the challenges of their time with creativity and grit, proving that genius knows no gender. From Margaret Knight's innovative designs for bags to the patent challenges faced by Josephine Cochrane, their legacies inspire us to celebrate freedom and innovation. One such pioneer, Ada Lovelace, is credited with writing the first computer algorithm, laying the groundwork for future advancements in computer science. Many of these women faced patent discrimination that stifled their inventions and recognition.

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