Innovations

In a visit to New York City in the winter of 1902, Anderson sat in a trolley car on a frosty day. She observed that the trolley car driver struggled to see past the windows because of the falling sleet. To clear the sights, the driver needed to open the window, lean out of the vehicle, or stop the car to go outside in order to wipe the windscreen with his or her hands. Anderson, who was not an engineer but an entrepreneur, identified the problem and its opportunity. She envisioned a windshield wiper blade that the trolley driver could operate from the inside. Her new device consisted of a lever inside the vehicle that controlled a rubber blade on the outside of the windshield. The lever could be operated to cause the spring-loaded arm to move back and forth across the windshield. A counterweight was used to ensure contact between the wiper and the window. The device could be easily removed if desired after the winter was over. She applied for, and in 1903 was granted, a 17-year patent for a windshield wiper. The patent application was filed on June 18, 1903. On November 10, 1903, the United States Patent Office awarded Anderson patent number 743,801 for her Window Cleaning device.

Bridgwood decided to improve Mary Anderson's manual windshield wipers, in which people had to use levers to operate the windshield wipers. Through her manufacturing company, she invented automatic windshield wipers that she called "Electric Storm Windshield Cleaner". She patented the first electrically powered windshield wiper in 1917, however her wiper used rollers rather than blades and did not catch on. Bridgwood never brought her design into full production, so the patent expired in 1920. Since US patent law no longer protected her product’s propriety, it was only a matter of time until large car manufacturers picked up her design. Cadillac was the first company to adopt the design two years later. Charlotte Bridgwood’s invention was left without much recognition.

Besides her film career, Lawrence is credited with designing the first "auto signaling arm", a predecessor of the modern turn signal, along with the first mechanical brake signal. She did not patent these inventions, however, and as a result she received no credit for, nor profit from, either one

Post's 1916 book "By Motor to the Golden Gate" popularized the idea women could drive around unaccompanied.

Noticing inefficiencies in the previous insulators, Barlett used her previous knowledge in mineralogy and petrology, as well as the knowledge gained through experience working for AC Spark Plug (General Motors), to introduce a ceramic spark plug insulator made of material which would last longer as a result of its higher heat resistance and would require less maintenance overall. By encasing the spark plugs, she had made possible for them to become quite durable. Prior to the design changes, spark plugs would get covered in byproducts spewed by the engine and had to be manually cleaned every 70 to 150 kilometers for the vehicle to function effectively. Alumina insulator material allows plugs to handle high heat and voltage within the spark plug, enabling vehicles to operate in a cleaner and, in turn, more efficient manner.

While working at automotive companies, Baranescu has specialized in research in automotive diesel engines. Specifically she focuses on alternative fuels and optimization in emissions and performance of the engines. Baranescu was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2001 for research leading to effective and environmentally sensitive diesel and alternative-fuel engines and leadership in automotive engineering.

Idea to mark roads with lanes.

*Russey was the first female New York City taxicab driver in 1915. *The New York Times headline proclaimed, “New York’s First Feminine Chauffeur Starts Business on New Year’s Day.” *Her first passengers took a short ride down the famous New York City thoroughfare and gave her a big tip. * Russey always wore a leopard skin hat & jacket when she drove.

took first long-distance (66 miles) car ride in a combustion powered engine 8/8/1888; financially assisted in development of Motorwagen; suggested adding a third gear to car; made suggestions for improving fuel line design; invented first leather brake lining; added insulation to ignition wiring

Epps' work in research at Ford Motor Company resulted in a provisional patent involving the application of magnetostrictive actuators to reduce vibrations in the suspension control arms, and later, a US patent for detection of the location of a frontal collision in an automobile. Following this, Epps was selected for astronaut training and works for NASA.

"first woman to drive an automobile across the United States from coast to coast a feat she completed on August 7 1909 after 59 days & 3 800 miles; trip was paid for by Maxwell-Briscoe Car Company as a publicity event to advertise their vehicle for women drivers; accompanied by 3 other women who did not drive; used maps by AAA for parts of the trip but most roads (predominantly dirt) were unmarked & they used electrical power lines to navigate 1961 wrote ""Veil Duster & Tire Iron"" which told the story of the trip"

Designed interiors for automobiles ambulances & hearses; designed jewelry silver flatware fashion accessories furniture stained glass windows; holds 1 patent under H.A. Rother

helped launch the U.S. automotive magazine Competition Press now AutoWeek owned the magazine for 1 year; wrote for them for over 65 years; invented participatory journalism-writing about sports from the perspective of a partifcipant-because she was not allowed in the racing pits or locker rooms as were male journalists;

She developed and patented a design of bike saddle specifically for women in 1991[5] and handlebars with reduced diameter to suit people with smaller hands in 1994.[6] The saddles featured the now-common cut-away centres[7] and Terry now produces ergonomic saddles for both men and women

Dennis introduced multiple features in passenger railroad cars to improve the comfort of the passengers. These improvements included partially reclining seats, stain-resistant upholstery, larger dressing rooms for women; dimmable ceiling lights, and individual window vents (which she patented) to allow passengers to bring in fresh air while trapping dust.

In 1898, Beasley was awarded a patent for a "Means for preventing derailment of railroad-cars".[19] As higher train speeds were now attainable by the use of electric power, train tracks needed additional safeguards to reduce the possibility of derailment. Beasley's anti-derailment device is a combination of a guardrail and locking device. The guardrail uses a strong top flange (a protruding edge or rim), located at the inner side of the track rail, which engages with a detent (a mechanical catch) connected to the train. In the event of a train car about to derail, the detent and flange prevent the car from leaving the track and restore regular motion. The detent must be rigidly framed in position to avoid the risk of straining and being wrenched from its fastenings.[19]

Eliza Murfey was an inventor who focused on the mechanics of the railroad. She created a device, called packing, that was used to lubricate a train’s axles with oil. This helped to reduce derailments caused by seized axles, an important safety innovation.