Women - Women's Innovations

Kathryn "K-K" Gregory

💡 Inventor 🔍 Textiles

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💡 Inventor 🔍 Textiles

became an inventor-entrepreneur in 1994, at the age of 10
1997 became the youngest person ever to promote a product on QVC, where just a 6-minute spot earned her $22,000 in sales
signed purchase and marketing agreements with the Girl Scouts, Federal Express, and McDonald’s, among others
other interests include rock climbing
after college moved to California & worked as a videographer including a stint on Extreme Makeover
left Writies to her mother to run in order to attend college & travel, returning to help run it in 2010
holds3 patents

Born: 1984

Country: USA

Education: Southern New Hampshire University BA Humanities

Emily Gross

💡 Inventor

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Mary Elizabeth Hallock-Greenewalt

💡 Inventor 🔍 Classical Piano

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💡 Inventor 🔍 Classical Piano

Invented a type of visual music known as Nourathar
Is a pianist who has performed with the Philadelphia & Pittsburgh Symphonies as a soloist
Is known for her interpretations of Chopin & as a pioneer in the use of color-light effects used in conjunction with musical performances
Was born in Beirut; she & her siblings were sent to live with relatives in the US when she was 11 because her mother began exhibiting symptoms of mental illness
She studied piano at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music & in Vienna
Named her color organ Sarabth after her mother; received 9 patents for it
1946, published "Nourathar: The Fine Art of Light-Color Playing"
Produced the earliest hand-painted films known to still exist; produced with templates & aerosol sprays, meant to be used with Sarabet
Held 13 patents

Born: 1871

Country: Lebanon

Education: Philadelphia Conservatory of Music 1893; 1897 spent 1 year in Vienna studying piano with Theodore Leschetizky

Marilyn Hamilton

💡 Inventor

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Julia Terry Hammonds

💡 Inventor 🎨 Fiber arts

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Ruth Marianna Moskowicz (AKA Mosco) Handler

💼 Businesswoman 💡 Inventor

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💼 Businesswoman 💡 Inventor

the Handlers were forced to resign from Mattel in 1975 after the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated the company for falsifying financial documents
was the youngest of ten children
at age six months old, her parents sent her to live with her older sister Sarah & she remained with her until she was 19
worked at Sarah’s drugstore/soda fountain
Barbie was named after her daughter Barbara & Ken was named after her son Kenneth
was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1970 & had a modified radical mastectomy
the 1st Barbie sold for $3 & 300,000 (some sources say over 350,000) were sold the 1st year
was charged with fraud and false reporting by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, pled no contest and was fined $57,000 (equivalent to $270,000 in 2024 and sentenced to 2,500 hours of community service
Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts
paid $500,000 to become the sole sponsor of the Mickey Mouse Club in order to directly appeal to children instead of their parents
Mattel's first products were picture frames & doll house furniture
referred to herself as "Barbie's mom"
graduated from high school at 16 years old
as part of her mandated community service she started a foundation to help white collar criminals and disadvantaged young men access job training, while juggling her expanding prosthetics empire
was sued by the 2 Germans, Greiner & Hausser, who manufactured the Bild Lilli doll & eventually bought the rights from them
1 of Mattel's employees, John (known as Jack) Ryan, sued Mattel & claimed he was responsible for creating Barbie & it was named after his wife
no patents under Handler's name were located but 2 (#3009284 & 3277601) for dolls resembling Barbie were found under the name John W. Ryan
believed play was essential for a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, and strived to create toys that engaged and stimulated young minds
grew up a tomboy, thought "girl stuff" was stupid, & considered herself a loner
"America's Time Capsule," buried at the celebration of the Bicentennial in 1976 contains a Barbie doll
1980 sold her prosthesis company to Kimberly-Clark
dropped out of college in Denver at 19 and started working at Paramount studio as a stenographer/secretary
she & Elliot helped found Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles
faced antisemitism when growing up subsequently convinced her husband to use his middle name of Elliot instead of his given name of Isador & the nickname Izzy hoping to incur fewer incidents of antisemitism

Born: 1916

Country: USA

Education: UCLA; University of Denver 1935-36;

Martha Matilda Harper

💼 Entrepreneur 💡 Inventor 🔍 Cosmotology

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💼 Entrepreneur 💡 Inventor 🔍 Cosmotology

Invented the reclining shampoo chair
Initiated the concept of professional "salon" & franchises
Didn't marry until she was 63; her husband, Robert McBain, was 24 years her junior
Created her own shampoos in a shed
Her father sent her to work as a domestic servant for relatives when she was 7; worked at that for 22 years
Her floor-length hair was an effective marketing tool for her hair tonic
The 1st 100 franchises of her company were given to poor women; all 500 franchises were owned by women
Her salons offered childcare & featured products largely made with natural products; she didn't use synthetic dyes or do chemical perms
Among her customers were British Royalty, susan B. Anthony, Woodrow Wilson, Grace Coolidge, Joseph & rose Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, George Bernard Shaw, & Ladybird Johnson
Never patented her reclining shampoo chair, cut-out sink, or hair formula

Born: 1857

Country: Canada

Education: took a few classes at University of Rochester

Angela R. Harris

✍️ Author 💡 Inventor

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Elizabeth Hawk

💡 Inventor

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Beulah Louise Henry

💡 Inventor

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💡 Inventor

Was nicknamed "Lady Edison"
1937, became known as "America's leading feminine inventor"
Received her 1st patent at age 25 for a vacuum-sealed ice cream freezer
Held 53 patents for everyday items to improve life, toys, typewriters, & sewing machines
Was responsible for over 100 inventions
1937, had a museum exhibit dedicated to her in Osaka, Japan to inspire female Japanese inventors
Was the Granddaughter of former North Carolina Governor W.W. Holden & a direct descendant of President Benjamin Harrison
Began sketching ideas for inventions when she was 9
Loved to point out what was wrong with something & mention changes to improve them
Established 2 companies in NY: Henry Umbrella & Parasol & B.L. Henry Company
Invented items to improve the quality of life for women including a hair curler, vanity case, rubber sponge soap holder, & snap-on parasol that allowed one to change the pattern on a parasol to match your outfit

Born: 1887

Country: USA

Education: Elizabeth College; North Carolina Presbyterian College

Deborah J. Jackson

⚛️ Aerospace Engineering ⚛️ Physics 💡 Inventor

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Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner

💡 Inventor

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Mary Dixon Kies

💡 Inventor

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Margaret Eloise Knight

💡 Inventor

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Hedy Lamarr

🔍 Actress 💡 Inventor

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🔍 Actress 💡 Inventor

Has been called "The Mother of Wifi"
Was married 6 times
Never received any money for her invention
Her name was omitted from the patent for a frequency-hopping device because she was not a US citizen at the time, becoming a citizen in 1953
1933, fled from her 1st husband, Friedrich Mandl, a wealthy Austrian ammunition manufacturer & secretly fled to Paris
Won a beauty contest in vienna when she was 12
In Hollywood, she was promoted as "the world's most beautiful woman"
She reportedly took up inventing because she was bored of acting
Usually spoke about herself in the 3rd person
She & composer/pianist George Antheil invented the frequency-hopping system to assist the US in WWII but the Navy initially rejected the idea because they felt an actress & composer couldn't be inventors
1966, arrested in Los Angeles for shoplifting but charges were dismissed; arrested for same in Florida in 1991, pled no contest, agreed to refrain from breaking any laws for 1 year & charges were dismissed
Held 1 patent

Born: 1914

Country: Austria

Education: no formal education

Alexis Lewis

💡 Inventor

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Lisa Z. Lindahl

💡 Inventor 💼 entrepreneur

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💡 Inventor 💼 entrepreneur

Co-inventor of the sports bra (Jogbra) in 1977 with Hinda Miller & Polly Smith
In 2001 with Dr. Lesli Bell, used sports bra technology to patent a chest compression garment for breast cancer patients (Belisse Compressure Comfort Bra)
Developed educational material to raise awareness of truncal lymphedema, an under diagnosed problem effecting a significant percentage of breast cancer survivors
Was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 4; works to raise awareness about it
Is an accomplished visual artist & writer
Met Polly smith in 8th grade when both lived in Montclair, NJ
In 1977 was jogging 30 mile/week
Her given name is Eugenie
Holds a Master's degree in culture & spirituality from Holy Names University
Holds 10 patents

Born: 1948

Country: USA

Education: Vernon court Junior College; University of Vermont, BS Education 1977;MA Culture & Spirituality, Holy Names University 2007; Advanced Program of Shamanic Studies

Isabella Sybilla Righton Masters

💡 Inventor

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June or Jean, please check McCarroll

⚛️ Physician 💡 Inventor

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Hinda Schreiber Miller

💡 Inventor 🏛️ Politician

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Mary Jane Montgomery

💡 Inventor

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Mary A. Moore

💡 Inventor

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Lyda D. Newman

💡 Inventor 🤖 Hairdresser

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Julie Newmar

🔍 Actress 💡 Inventor

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🔍 Actress 💡 Inventor

Played the 1st Catwoman in the TV series Batman
Holds 2 patents for the invention of pantyhose & a new bra
Was sued by Jim Belushi for $4 million dollars after he accused her of tearing down his fence & egging his house; she countered by stating his noisiness forced her to buy expensive air traffic controller's earmuffs
Was a prima ballerina with the Los angeles Opera beginning at age 15
Was engaged to author Louis L'Amour
Has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an inherited neurological disease effecting 1 in 2,500 people that is characterized by progressive loss of muscle tissue & touch sensation across various parts of the body
Is an avid gardener & advocate for LGBT rights
Has numerous acting credits in movies, TV, & stage productions

Born: 1933

Country: USA

Education: UCLA no degree

Virginia Tower Norwood

⚛️ Aerospace Engineering ⚛️ Physics 💡 Inventor

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Nancy Perkins

💡 Inventor

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Jacqueline Williams Quinn

⚛️ Environmental Engineer 💡 Inventor

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Gitanjali Rao

💡 Inventor

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Charlotte Anna Emma Cramer Sachs

🔍 Nutrition 💡 Inventor

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🔍 Nutrition 💡 Inventor

Invented instant mixes for muffins, frosting, puddings, breads, & cakes
Sold her products under the brand Joy Prepared Mixes through Cramer Products Company (founded 1940 in NY)
Was a single, working mother who invented products aimed at women to make their lives easier
Held 6 patents including a combined key & flashlight & wine safes
Initiated the development of a wine museum in NYS
Founded Crambruck Press & Cranbruck foundation, outlets for publishing & promoting her musical compositions & poetry
Was also an artist known as "Charlo" in several exhibitions
With parents immigrated to the US in 1924 1945, married Alexander Sachs, a member of FDR's administration since the early 1930s
Daughter Eleanor had diabetes; charlotte enrolled in dietary classes in 1940 which led to her development of instant mixes with the knowledge she gained

Born: 1907

Country: Germany

Education: NY Institute of Dietetics 1940

Patsy O'Connell Sherman

🔬 Chemistry 💡 Inventor

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🔬 Chemistry 💡 Inventor

Co-inventor of Scotchgard
1st woman inducted into 3-Ms Carlton society (1974)
Took an aptitude test in high school that said she was most suited to be a housewife; insisted she be allowed to take the test given to boys & those results showed dentistry or science as potential career paths
Began her career at 3M & was tasked with developing a rubber that could be used for jet fuel hoses; spilled a sample of fluorochemical rubber on a colleagues she & couldn't get it off; over time noticed the spot didn't get dirty or stained; subsequently developed into Scotchgard
Mid-1980s, developed 3M's technical education department
During the development of Scotchgard in the 1950s she had to wait outside the textile mill used for testing before she was given the results because women weren't allowed inside the mill
Worked at 3M over 40 years
Held 16 patents

Born: 1930

Country: USA

Education: Gustavus Adolphus College BS Chemistry & Mathematics 1952

Hannah Wilkinson Slater

🔍 Textiles 💡 Inventor

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Polly Palmer Smith

💡 Inventor 🎨 Costume Designer

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Andrea M. Sreshta

💡 Inventor

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Theora Stephens

💡 Inventor

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Anna Ruth Stork

💡 Inventor

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Vesta Oral Stoudt

💡 Inventor

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💡 Inventor

Inventor of Duct Tape
Was a factory worker at Green River Ordnance Plant in Amboy, IL during WWII; had 2 sons in the Navy; while packing ammo boxes noticed the way they were sealed made it difficult to open them & was concerned about military personnel in dangerous situations trying to open them to be able to reload their weapons in a hurry
Was unable to get supervisors or government inspectors to buy into her new packing tape method to solve the problem; 2/10/1943, wrote a letter to FDR explaining the problem & her solution, requesting he take action immediately; received a response from the War Production Board on 3/26/1943, informing her her suggestion was being implemented & her idea was "of exceptional merit"
Revolite Corporation was tasked with with making the tape (Johnson & Johnson was their parent company) & they credit her with the invention of duct tape

Born: 1891 or 1906

Country: USA

Education: Unknown

Harriet Williams Russell Strong

💡 Inventor 🔍 Conservation

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💡 Inventor 🔍 Conservation

Primary innovator of dry land irrigation & water conservation techniques in late 19th century southern California
1887, patented her invention of a system of dams & reservoirs for water storage & flood control
Her invention enabled the construction of the Hoover Dam & the All-American Canal
Was also a successful musical composer
Her husband committed suicde when she was 39 due to financial problems; he left her with 4 daughters (ages 10 to 14) & high debts
She was self-taught in the field of agriculture to save her husband's ranch & provide for her family; she had help from some neighboring farmers who also benefitted from her water conservation & irrigation techniques; after approximately 5 years she had the largest walnut farm in the US
For the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, with the help of her daughters, she designed the award winning Pampas Plume Palace, made almost entirely of pampas grass, another of her money-making crops
During WWI she was an advocate for a national irrigation system
Advocated for suffrage saying, "When the majority of women understand the business methods of the world, they will be asked to assist in the affairs of government"
Held 5 patents

Born: 1844

Country: USA

Education: private tutors; Miss Mary Atkin's Young Ladies Seminary (now Mills College)

Valerie LaVerne Thomas

⚛️ Physics 🔍 data scientist 💡 inventor

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⚛️ Physics 🔍 data scientist 💡 inventor

Invented the illusion transmitter; it transmits an optical illusion of a 3D image between concave mirrors that looks real on the receiving end; led to 3D movie technology
Retired from NASA in 1995 after working there for over 30 years
Developed the digital media formats that image processing systems used in the early years of NASAs Landsat Program
Led a 50 member team of scientists from NASA, NOAA & USDA that created LACIE (Large Area Crop Inventory experiment) used in agriculture
Mentored children for careers in STEM
After retiring has worked as a substitute teacher
Holds 1 patent

Born: 1943

Country: USA

Education: Morgan State University BS Physics 1964; George Washington University MA Engineering Administration 1985; University of Delaware PhD Educational Leadership 2004

Emma Lilian Todd

💡 Inventor

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Ann Tsukamoto

🔬 Stem Cell Researcher 💡 Inventor

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