Innovations

1915 with her husband George Cram Cook, she founded the Provincetown Players, the first modern American theatre company; discovered playwright Eugene O'Neill; wrote numerous short stories (over 50 were published), nine novels, fifteen plays, and a biography; 1921 she completed "Inheritors" it follows three generations of a pioneer family and is often considered America's first modern historical drama; also in 1921 finished The Verge, one of the earliest American works of expressionist art; age 20 wrote ‘Society,’ a weekly that sarcastically criticized the upper-class

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"

Olive and Walter Beech established Beech Aircraft "with the goal to build the finest airplanes in the world."[9] Walter Beech quit Curtiss-Wright and started Beech Aircraft Company in Wichita, naming himself as president, Olive Ann as secretary. Olive Ann suggested that to help increase sales of their aircraft that the company should sponsor a woman pilot flying the Staggerwing in the 1936 transcontinental Bendix Trophy Race. Beech-sponsored pilot Louise Thaden, along with Blanche Noyes as co-pilot, won the race against some of the nation's best male pilots.

Preparations of Bland's Mayfly started in 1909, and the first successful flight was made at Randalstown in late August in 1910, a short hop off the ground. While perching on a canvas open-air seat, Bland manipulated controls to maintain the flight in balance after running forward about 30 feet and stayed in the air for a quarter of a mile. The controls consisted of a bicycle handle bar. Not only did this make Bland the first woman to fly an aircraft in Ireland, but the Mayfly also became the first powered biplane in Ireland.

In 1952, Cochran decided to challenge the world speed record for women, then held by Jacqueline Auriol. She tried to borrow an F-86 from the U.S. Air Force, but was refused. She was introduced to an Air Vice-Marshal of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) who, with the permission of the Canadian Minister of Defense, arranged for her to borrow 19200, the sole Canadair Sabre 3. Canadair sent a 16-man support team to California for the attempt. On 18 May 1953, Cochran set a new 100 km speed record of 1,050.15 km/h (652.5 mph). Encouraged by then-Major Chuck Yeager, with whom Cochran shared a lifelong friendship, on May 18, 1953, at Rogers Dry Lake, California, Cochran flew the Sabre 3 at an average speed of 652.337 mph. During the course of this run the Sabre went supersonic, and Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier.

While working as a manicurist at the White Sox Barber Shop, Coleman heard stories from pilots returning home from World War I. She took a second job to save money in hopes of becoming a pilot herself. American flight schools of the time admitted neither women nor black people, so Robert S. Abbott, founder and publisher of the Chicago Defender newspaper, encouraged her to study abroad.[3] Abbot publicized Coleman's quest in his newspaper and she received financial sponsorship from banker Jesse Binga and the Defender.[14] Bessie Coleman took a French-language class at the Berlitz Language Schools in Chicago and then traveled to Paris, France, on November 20, 1920, so that she could earn her pilot license. She learned to fly in a Nieuport 564 biplane with "a steering system that consisted of a vertical stick the thickness of a baseball bat in front of the pilot and a rudder bar under the pilot's feet." On June 15, 1921, Coleman became the first black woman[8] and first self-identified Native American[16] to earn an aviation pilot's license.

After a flight lasting 14 hours, 56 minutes, Earhart landed in a pasture at Culmore, north of Derry, Northern Ireland. The flight was turbulent as she contended with strong northerly winds, icy conditions and mechanical problems, The landing was witnessed by Cecil King and T. Sawyer. When a farm hand asked, "Have you flown far?" Earhart replied, "From America". As the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic, Earhart received the Distinguished Flying Cross from Congress, the Cross of Knight of the Legion of Honor from the French Government and the Gold Medal of the National Geographic Society[112] from President Herbert Hoover.

In early 1895 the Pilcher siblings decided to make a full-sized prototype of what they called a 'soaring machine'. Percy did the design, carpentry and tensioning; Ella was in charge of the fabric. They began constructing the aircraft in five sections using the best materials they could get with their limited funds: pine, sailcloth, steel plates, piano wire and bamboo. Th They called this first glider the Bat, and began test flying it in the summer of 1895.at Cardross, farmland to the west of Glasgow, By September of that year, Ella and Percy had modified the Bat to the point where it would carry one of them aloft for 30 seconds, double that if towed by a rope.

On August 1, 1911, Quimby took her pilot's test and became the first American woman to earn a pilot's license, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale certificate #37, issued to her by the Aero Club of America. After earning her pilot's license, Quimby acted to capitalize on her new status. Pilots could earn as much as US $1,000 per performance, and prize money for a race could go as high as $10,000 or more. Quimby joined an exhibition team, and made her professional debut in 1911, earning $1,500 in a night flight over Staten Island before a crowd of almost 20,000 spectators. In articles for popular magazines, she recounted her flying adventures. Committed to her new passion of flying, she promoted the economic potential of commercial aviation and touted flying as an ideal sport for women. Less than a year after obtaining her pilot’s license, Quimby was killed during an exhibition flight over Boston.

Todd's first full-sized biplane began construction as early as the fall of 1908 by the Wittemann Brothers of Staten Island. The framework was constructed out of straight-grained spruce, the upper coverings of the wings were muslin, the lower covering was seven-ounce army duck. Piano wire held the wings together. The airplane had two seats, and was 36 ft (11 m) in length, powered by modified Rinek motor. Realizing the importance of aviation, Todd started the first Junior Aero Club in 1908 to foster the education of future aviators. The club met at Todd's residence in New York, where her living room had become her workshop and was decorated by aircraft models of her own design and other mechanical toys. Todd was also credited with inventing and patenting a cabinet with a folding table, a cannon that could be triggered by solar power, a sundial, and an aeolian harp device that could be attached to a tree.

In 1933 Waterford Bragg enrolled at Curtiss Wright Aeronautical University, a segregated black aviation school; she was the only woman in a class with 24 black men. In 1934 she provided $600 of her own money to buy the school's first airplane, and helped in building the school's own airfield in Robbins, Illinois. In the summer she learned flying and obtained her private pilot's license. In 1943 she applied to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program. When she went in for an interview, Ethel Sheehy, assistant to the head of WASP, denied her an interview because she was black. A few weeks later, she received a rejection letter from Jacqueline Cochran, head of WASP, for the same reason. Her application to the military nurse corps was rejected, also on racial grounds. She then enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training Program at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama. Despite completing her coursework, examination, and flight test,[13] she was denied a pilot's license in Alabama, for being a "colored girl", but managed to receive a license at Pal-Waukee Field, Illinois.

1903 Acosta became the first woman to fly a motorized aircraft on her own in France traveling to a polo game; founder of the 1st US eye institute in 1925, Wilmer Eye Institute in Johns Hopkins Hospital; 1945-55 executive director of Eye-Bank for sight Restoration in NYC the 1st eye bank in the US; was active in children's health issues & spearheaded efforts to hold an annual Child Health Day which is now celebrated the 1st Monday in October; worked for the American Red Cross & the Frontier Nurse Service

For decades historians and biographers of the Wright Brothers ignored or downplayed Katharine's role as an integral member of the family team. Only with the surge of interest in women's history in the late twentieth century, and the concomitant discovery of previously unknown letters and other documents, did she come to be recognized as both Wilbur and Orville's unsung partner and a significant figure in the women's movement.

Elliott soloed in a Piper Cub in 1936. In that same year she co-founded Elliott Aviation together with her husband. As part of the business, Arlene focused on promoting general aviation, and is widely credited with persuading banks to finance purchases of business aircraft. This enabled a broader range of entrepreneurs to gain access to these powerful business tools. Elliott Aviation was one of the original independent Beech dealerships, and in 1977, Beech Aircraft Corp. renamed its “Man of the Year” award to “Team of the Year,” and gave the award to both Herb and Arlene.

Jeppesen and her pilot husband started a business publishing flight charts, with first-hand knowledge of what was useful and necessary in such documents. The Jeppesen Airway Manual was first published from their home in Salt Lake City, and later from a storefront in Denver, Colorado, with Nadine Jeppesen overseeing the publication's design and hiring cartographers. The manuals were an established resource for pilots before the start of World War II, which increased demand for them. Nadine Jeppesen was responsible for marketing, publicity, and accounting at the company, while Elrey Jeppesen continued to fly for United Airlines until 1954.

Brown was one of few women who attended Curtiss–Wright Aeronautical University where she studied aircraft maintenance and earned an aircraft mechanic's license in 1935. She earned a private pilot's license in 1938 and a commercial pilot's license in 1939, becoming the first African American woman to earn either type of license in the United States. Together with Cornelius Coffey and Enoch P. Waters, Brown formed the National Negro Airmen Association of America, later renamed to National Airmen's Association of America which was incorporated in 1939. Their primary mission was to attract more interest in aviation, help develop a better understanding in the field of aeronautics, and increase African American participation in both fields. She co-founded with Coffey the School of Aeronautics in Chicago, located at Harlem Airport, with the purpose of training black pilots and teaching aviation mechanics. Nearly 200 students from the school went on to join the Tuskegee Airmen. In 1942, she attained the rank of Lieutenant in Civil Air Patrol Squadron 613-6, becoming the first African American officer in the Civil Air Patrol.

Davis has worked for BD Advanced Design at Collins Aerospace for several years. She holds six patents related to aircraft.

Funk earned her Airline Transport Rating in 1968. She applied to three commercial airlines but, like other qualified female pilots, was turned away because of her sex. In 1971 she went on to earn the rating of flight inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), becoming the first woman to complete the FAA's General Aviation Operations Inspector Academy course, which includes Pilot Certification and Flight Testing procedures. She worked for four years with the FAA as a field examiner, and in 1973 she was promoted to FAA SWAP (Systems Worthiness Analysis Program) as a specialist. In 1973 Wally again entered the FAA Academy to take courses involving air-taxi, charter, and aviation rental businesses. On completion, Funk was hired by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as its first female Air Safety Investigator.

MacGill worked for the Canadian Car and Foundry Company (CanCar) in Fort William, Ontario (now Thunder Bay). The company primarily manufactured railway boxcars but now the Allies needed Hawker Hurricane airplanes and quickly. The 35-year-old Canadian was one of the country's top aeronautical engineers. In 1940, she had to turn CanCar into an airplane assembly line. Thousands of aircraft blueprints were brought in from Britain. From them MacGill designed the machines that would manufacture 60,000 different parts. Each part had to be perfect. "They were designed so the parts would fit together like a childs mecanno set (like legos). Parts from one airframe are interchangeable with those of another. You can see how useful this would be when they are repairing an airplane damaged in action." Under MacGill's direction, it took only a year for CanCar to produce the first Hawker Hurricane. Soon the company was building three or four planes a week and had become a wartime success story.

Together with her husband, Maule owned and managed Maule Air, which they had founded in 1941. Their company manufactures light, single-engined, short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft and is based in Moultrie, Georgia, U.S. The company delivered 2,500 aircraft in its first 50 years of business. The squared off tail is a signature of Maule aircraft.

The Army, reluctant at first to adopt the parachute, watched in 1914 as Tiny Broadwick dropped from the sky. On her fourth demonstration jump, the static line became entangled in the tail assembly of the aircraft, so for her next jump she cut the static line short and did not attach it to the plane. Instead, she deployed her chute manually by pulling the shortened, unattached line while in free-fall in what may have been the first planned free-fall jump from an airplane. This demonstrated that pilots could safely escape aircraft by using what was later called a ripcord.

Working in the avionics group at British Aerospace, Body created the software for the fly-by-wire aircraft. She established the Next Generation Composite Wing Programme. In 2009 she established the “Women in Aviation and Aerospace Committee”. In 2002 she was made engineering lead of the Nimrod wing design team. She has been a technical manager for wing assembly. In 2013 Body became the first woman to be President of the Royal Aeronautical Society since its creation in 1866. During her time as President, she focused on the development of women's technical skills in aerospace engineering.

Bolds collected aircraft vibration data using test flights to collect information about the vibration environments that exist around vehicles during normal flight conditions. To analyse the enormous amounts of data, processing techniques such as spectrum analyzers and minicomputers were used. Bolds's spectral analysis of aircraft vibration and noise was called "substantial" and "instrumental" in suggesting ways to correct the adverse effects of the severe aeroacoustic environment created by operating high performance aircraft with their weapons bay doors open. Her work on helicopter vibration frequencies helped to demonstrate that the Helicopter Vibration Test Curve "M" in use in 1970 was inadequate, as it could potentially create many instances of field equipment failure. She continued to publish regular reports from the vibration and aeroelastic facilities.

The King Schools was founded in 1974 by Martha King and her husband John. As Certificated Flight Instructors, the Kings first began as a traveling ground school, offering two-day courses in various cities. A little more than a decade later, they began producing training videos that other flight instructors could incorporate into their own curriculum. Eventually, demand for their videos by individuals learning to fly led to the development of courses that could be used for self-paced study.

* Hinton co-developed Mueller-Hinton agar with John Howard Mueller * Agar was a medium developed to isolate the Neisseria bacteria that caused gonorrhea and meningogoccal meningitis * Became the most widely used culture medium for Neisseria * Its suitability for detecting whether bacteria are susceptible to antibiotics * Mueller–Hinton agar recognized as the gold standard for antibiotic testing.

* Moore studied gut isolated microbes of the Death's Head Cockroach by isolating pure cultures * Moore then tested the cultures for antimicrobial susceptibility and antibiotic resistance * The study investigated whether antibiotics were bacteriostatic or bactericidal by removing agar from the zones of inhibition and culturing in nutrient broth * Her work is considered some of the earliest on microbiomes.

* At Yale, Doudna's group was able to crystallize and solve the three-dimensional structure of the catalytic core of the Tetrahymena Group I ribozyme. * Showed that a core of five magnesium ions clustered in one region of the P4-P6 domain of the ribozyme, forming a hydrophobic core around which the rest of the structure could fold. * This is analogous but chemically distinct from, the way proteins typically have a core of hydrophobic amino acids. * This initial work to solve large RNA structures led to further structural studies on an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and protein-RNA complexes such as the signal recognition particle.

* Royal investigated flavor chemistry * Examined the use of additive salts on flavor of meats.

In her research, Steitz focused on the question of how bacteria know where to start the "reading frame" on mRNA. In the process, Steitz discovered the exact sequences on a mature RNA virus encoding three proteins where the virus mRNA binds bacterial ribosomes to produce proteins. In 1969 she published a seminal paper in Nature showing the nucleotide sequence of the binding start points.

During World War II, Hirose was connected with the Kettering Laboratory of Applied Physiology, University of Cincinnati. She also taught microbiology and did research on cancer at Indiana University using antimetabolites. In 1946, she published a paper called "Diffusion of sulfonamides from emulsified ointment bases", which concerned the characteristics of diffusion of sulfa drugs in various types of bases. In 1958, she joined the Lebanon (Pennsylvania) Veterans Administration Hospital as a bacteriologist. Prior to this, she was affiliated with the Ft. Benjamin Harrison Hospital in Indianapolis and the VA Hospital in Dayton, OH.