Women Inventors
Famous women inventors - learn about women inventing in traditionally male fields and why women are a minority of patent holders and how that is rapidly changing.
Women Inventors A-Z
From A-Z the biographies, inventions, and photos of women inventors from Randi Altschul to Mary Walton. Use the individual listings below for more details on each entry.
From A-Z the biographies, inventions, and photos of women inventors from Randi Altschul to Mary Walton. Use the individual listings below for more details on each entry.
How Many Women Inventors Are There?
Today, thousands of women apply for and receive a patent every year.
Today, thousands of women apply for and receive a patent every year.
Mothers of Invention - Women Inventors
Discover the many famous women inventors who have made their mark in history as "Mothers of Invention".
Discover the many famous women inventors who have made their mark in history as "Mothers of Invention".
Railroad Inventions Created by Women Inventors
During the 1800s, several women inventors made important contributions to improving safety and reducing noise pollution from trains.
During the 1800s, several women inventors made important contributions to improving safety and reducing noise pollution from trains.
Trivia Quiz - Mothers of Invention
Test your knowledge about the Mothers of Invention by taking this fun trivia quiz.
Test your knowledge about the Mothers of Invention by taking this fun trivia quiz.
Randi Altschul
Randice-Lisa Altschul invented the world's first disposable cell phone.
Randice-Lisa Altschul invented the world's first disposable cell phone.
Dr. Betsy Ancker-Johnson
Dr. Betsy Ancker-Johnson was the third woman inventor elected to the National Academy oF engineering.
Dr. Betsy Ancker-Johnson was the third woman inventor elected to the National Academy oF engineering.
Mary Anderson
Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper. Anderson was issued a patent for the wipers in 1905.
Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper. Anderson was issued a patent for the wipers in 1905.
Virginia Apgar
Apgar invented a newborn scoring system or "Apgar Score" for assessing the health of newborn infants.
Apgar invented a newborn scoring system or "Apgar Score" for assessing the health of newborn infants.
Barbara Askins
Developed a totally new way of processing film.
Developed a totally new way of processing film.
Patricia Bath
The first African American woman doctor to receive a patent for a medical invention.
The first African American woman doctor to receive a patent for a medical invention.
Miriam E. Benjamin
Ms. Benjamin was the second black woman inventor to receive a patent. She received a patent for an invention she called a "Gong and Signal Chair for Hotels".
Ms. Benjamin was the second black woman inventor to receive a patent. She received a patent for an invention she called a "Gong and Signal Chair for Hotels".
Patricia Billings
Patricia Billings invented a indestructible and fireproof building material called Geobond®.
Patricia Billings invented a indestructible and fireproof building material called Geobond®.
Katherine Blodgett
Invented the non-reflecting glass.
Invented the non-reflecting glass.
Bessie Blount
Blount invented a device to help disabled people eat with less difficulty.
Blount invented a device to help disabled people eat with less difficulty.
Sarah Boone
An improvement to the ironing board was invented by African American Sarah Boone on April 26, 1892.
An improvement to the ironing board was invented by African American Sarah Boone on April 26, 1892.
Rachel Fuller Brown
Rachel Brown co-invented Nystatin, the world's first useful antifungal antibiotic.
Rachel Brown co-invented Nystatin, the world's first useful antifungal antibiotic.
Josephine Garis Cochran
In 1886, Josephine Cochran invented the first practical dishwasher.
In 1886, Josephine Cochran invented the first practical dishwasher.
Martha J. Coston
Martha Coston invented a pyrotechnic signaling system known as maritime signal flares.
Martha Coston invented a pyrotechnic signaling system known as maritime signal flares.
Dianne Croteau
Invented Actar 911, the CPR mannequin.
Invented Actar 911, the CPR mannequin.
Marie Curie
Marie Curie also known as Madame Curie discovered radium and furthered x-ray technology.
Marie Curie also known as Madame Curie discovered radium and furthered x-ray technology.
Marion Donovan
The convenient disposable diaper was invented by New Yorker Marion Donovan in 1950.
The convenient disposable diaper was invented by New Yorker Marion Donovan in 1950.
Gertrude Belle Elion
Elion invented the leukemia-fighting drug 6-mercaptopurine, drugs that facilitated kidney transplants and other drugs for the treatment of cancer and leukemia.
Elion invented the leukemia-fighting drug 6-mercaptopurine, drugs that facilitated kidney transplants and other drugs for the treatment of cancer and leukemia.
Edith Flanigen
Flanigen was the inventor of a petroleum refining method and is considered one of the most inventive chemists of all time.
Flanigen was the inventor of a petroleum refining method and is considered one of the most inventive chemists of all time.
Helen Free
Free was the inventor of the home diabetes test.
Free was the inventor of the home diabetes test.
Sally Fox
Sally Fox invented naturally-colored cotton.
Sally Fox invented naturally-colored cotton.
Frances Gabe
Gabe invented the "Self Cleaning House".
Gabe invented the "Self Cleaning House".
Lillian Gilbreth
Lillian Moller Gilbreth was an inventor, author, industrial engineer, industrial psychologist, and mother of twelve children.
Lillian Moller Gilbreth was an inventor, author, industrial engineer, industrial psychologist, and mother of twelve children.
Sarah E. Goode
Sarah Goode was the first African American women to receive a U.S. patent.
Sarah Goode was the first African American women to receive a U.S. patent.
Bette Nesmith Graham
Graham invented liquid paper, also known as White-Out™.
Graham invented liquid paper, also known as White-Out™.
Temple Grandin
Temple Grandin invented livestock-handling devices.
Temple Grandin invented livestock-handling devices.
KK Gregory
KK Gregory is the ten-year old inventor of Wristies®.
KK Gregory is the ten-year old inventor of Wristies®.
Ruth Handler
The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler.
The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler.
Elizabeth Lee Hazen
Elizabeth Hazen co-invented Nystatin, the world's first useful antifungal antibiotic.
Elizabeth Hazen co-invented Nystatin, the world's first useful antifungal antibiotic.
Beulah Henry
All told, Henry made about 110 inventions and holds 49 patents.
All told, Henry made about 110 inventions and holds 49 patents.
Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin
Hodgkin used x-rays to find the structural layouts of atoms and to discover the overall molecular shape of over 100 molecules including: penicillin, vitamin B-12, vitamin D and insulin.
Hodgkin used x-rays to find the structural layouts of atoms and to discover the overall molecular shape of over 100 molecules including: penicillin, vitamin B-12, vitamin D and insulin.
Krisztina Holly
Co-invented the telephony software called Visual Voice.
Co-invented the telephony software called Visual Voice.
Erna Schneider Hoover
Hoover invented the computerized telephone switching system.
Hoover invented the computerized telephone switching system.
Grace Hopper
Grace Hopper was a computer inventor best known for the Mark computer series.
Grace Hopper was a computer inventor best known for the Mark computer series.
Mary Phelps Jacob
Mary Phelps Jacob invented the bra.
Mary Phelps Jacob invented the bra.
Amanda Theodosia Jones
Jones re-invented American food production by inventing vacuum packed canning.
Jones re-invented American food production by inventing vacuum packed canning.
Marjorie Stewart Joyner
Joyner invented a permanent wave machine that would allow a hairdo to stay set for days.
Joyner invented a permanent wave machine that would allow a hairdo to stay set for days.
Anna Keichline
Architect, Anna Keichline created inventions for the home.
Architect, Anna Keichline created inventions for the home.
Mary Kies: Patenting Pioneer
Kies was the first women to receive a U.S. patent on May 15, 1809.
Kies was the first women to receive a U.S. patent on May 15, 1809.
Gabriele Knecht
Patented the Forward Sleeve design for creating clothing.
Patented the Forward Sleeve design for creating clothing.
Margaret Knight
Margaret Knight was an employee in a paper bag factory when she invented a new machine part to make square bottoms for paper bags. Knight can be considered the mother of the grocery bag, she founded the Eastern Paper Bag Company in 1870.
Margaret Knight was an employee in a paper bag factory when she invented a new machine part to make square bottoms for paper bags. Knight can be considered the mother of the grocery bag, she founded the Eastern Paper Bag Company in 1870.
Stephanie Louise Kwolek
Kwolek invented a material five times stronger than steel called Kevlar.
Kwolek invented a material five times stronger than steel called Kevlar.
Hedy Lamarr
Lamarr was a movie star and inventor.
Lamarr was a movie star and inventor.
Ada Lovelace
Wrote a scientific paper in 1843 that anticipated the development of computer software artificial intelligence and computer music.
Wrote a scientific paper in 1843 that anticipated the development of computer software artificial intelligence and computer music.
Sybilla Masters - First American Woman Inventor
Masters was the first American female inventor in recorded history, but no doubt women have been inventing since the dawn of time without the deserved recognition.
Masters was the first American female inventor in recorded history, but no doubt women have been inventing since the dawn of time without the deserved recognition.
Ann Moore
Invented the Snugli baby carrier.
Invented the Snugli baby carrier.
Krysta Morlan
Krysta Morlan invented a device that relieves the irritation caused by wearing a cast - the cast cooler.
Krysta Morlan invented a device that relieves the irritation caused by wearing a cast - the cast cooler.
Ellen Ochoa
Ochoa invented optical analysis systems and was the world's first Hispanic female astronaut.
Ochoa invented optical analysis systems and was the world's first Hispanic female astronaut.
Alice Parker
Alice Parker invented a new and improved gas heating furnace.
Alice Parker invented a new and improved gas heating furnace.
Betty Rozier and Lisa Vallino
Rozier and Vallino, a mother and daughter invention team, invented the intravenous catheter shield.
Rozier and Vallino, a mother and daughter invention team, invented the intravenous catheter shield.
Patsy Sherman
Patsy Sherman invented Scotchgard™.
Patsy Sherman invented Scotchgard™.
Valerie Thomas
Received a patent in 1980 for inventing an illusion transmitter.
Received a patent in 1980 for inventing an illusion transmitter.
Ann Tsukamoto
The co-patenter of a process to isolate the human stem cell.
The co-patenter of a process to isolate the human stem cell.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was considered the "Moses of the Civil War" for her work on the underground railroads.
Harriet Tubman was considered the "Moses of the Civil War" for her work on the underground railroads.
Madame Walker
Madame Walker was a St. Louis washerwoman-turned-entrepreneur, who in 1905 invented a method to soften and smooth African American hair.
Madame Walker was a St. Louis washerwoman-turned-entrepreneur, who in 1905 invented a method to soften and smooth African American hair.
Mary Walton
Walton invented several anti-pollution devices during the Industrial Revolution.
Walton invented several anti-pollution devices during the Industrial Revolution.
Carol Wior
Invented the Slimsuit, a slimming swimsuit.
Invented the Slimsuit, a slimming swimsuit.
American Women Inventors Go Public
In the modern era, women have had more difficulty gaining credit for their inventions, but that has not stopped them from inventing.
In the modern era, women have had more difficulty gaining credit for their inventions, but that has not stopped them from inventing.
Prolific Female Inventors of the Industrial Era
Four "Lady Edisons" are described in this article: Mary S, Beulah Louise Henry (ice cream freezer), Helen Augusta Blanchard (zigzag stitch machine) and Margaret Knight (square-bottomed paper bags).
Four "Lady Edisons" are described in this article: Mary S, Beulah Louise Henry (ice cream freezer), Helen Augusta Blanchard (zigzag stitch machine) and Margaret Knight (square-bottomed paper bags).
Defying Stereotypes
This article is about women inventing in traditionally male fields.
This article is about women inventing in traditionally male fields.
Women Inventors (1899)
This is an article on women inventors that was part of a 1899 patent manual written by Fred Dieterich.
This is an article on women inventors that was part of a 1899 patent manual written by Fred Dieterich.
"It's a Woman's Invention"
This is an article written by Ginny Grein that has advice for new inventors.
This is an article written by Ginny Grein that has advice for new inventors.
Women and the History of Computers.
Ada Lovelace - Edith Clarke - Rósa Péter - Grace Hopper - Alexandra Forsythe - Evelyn Granville - Margaret Fox - Erna Hoover - Kay Antonelli - Alice Burks - Adele Goldstine - Joan Winters.
Ada Lovelace - Edith Clarke - Rósa Péter - Grace Hopper - Alexandra Forsythe - Evelyn Granville - Margaret Fox - Erna Hoover - Kay Antonelli - Alice Burks - Adele Goldstine - Joan Winters.
Women's History in Transportation
American women have played important roles in improving how we travel for more than 170 years.
American women have played important roles in improving how we travel for more than 170 years.
Women of NASA
The Women of NASA interactive project showcases outstanding women who are enjoying successful careers in math, science and technology.
The Women of NASA interactive project showcases outstanding women who are enjoying successful careers in math, science and technology.
Women Nobel Prize Laureates
In 1903, only two years after the Nobel Foundation was established, the first Nobel Prize was awarded to a woman. Women have been winning Nobel Prizes ever since.
In 1903, only two years after the Nobel Foundation was established, the first Nobel Prize was awarded to a woman. Women have been winning Nobel Prizes ever since.
Female Ingenuity
A partial list of the many ingenious inventions by women.
A partial list of the many ingenious inventions by women.