We’re all excited to find out ten inventions that women actually came up with but before we start, how many inventions can you think of that were made by women?
If you can’t come up with ten or even five things, don’t worry. This list will be your guide (aka the Yoda to your Luke Skywalker).
1. Kevlar Fiber
For those of you who don’t know, Kevlar fiber is the reason why bulletproof vests are…well bulletproof. With synthetic fibers that are stronger than steel, Kevlar has saved a lot of real (and fictional) lives. Its applications range from body armor to gloves and bike tires among other things.
This is all thanks to Stephanie Kowlek in 1965. The Kevlar is an accidental invention but hey, so was the microwave.
2. The Circular Saw
Here’s a short story: Tabitha Babbitt told some lumber workers the idea of a circular saw for a more efficient production and ACTUALLY made a prototype for it back in 1813. Everyone thought it was a great invention but they didn’t file a patent for it!
Anyway, let’s give Tabitha, a weaver in profession, ALL the credit.
3. CCTV Systems
CCTV footage is a very powerful visual proof when it comes to documenting something terrible happening like a crime or an accident. (Or when it comes to the source of funny compilation videos on YouTube.)
Because Marie Van Brittan Brown, a nurse, thought that New York City cops in the late 90s do not respond fast enough in emergencies, she developed a monitoring system to ensure her safety and protection in her own home.
4. The Ice Cream Maker
Yes, that’s right! It’s a woman who basically let us enjoy some good cold ice cream today. We should all be thankful to Nancy Johnson for developing a hand-cranked ice cream maker in 1843.
Non-electric types of ice cream maker is still sold even to this day because apparently it’s good family bonding time taking turns hand-cranking some ice cream.
5. Windshield Wipers
Mary Anderson created a prototype windshield wiper made of wood and rubber with a lever near the driver to pull if raindrops or snow needed to be cleared right away.
Sadly, car companies rejected her patented idea and she was unable to sell her invention. Nearly a decade after her invention, windshield wipers became a standard for all vehicles but she never got any profit from it!
6. The Car Heater
A highly-accomplished engineer named Margaret A. Wilcox developed the first ever car heater in 1893. This lovely mechanical engineer helped warm some people in the 19th century after a day out on the cold. Thank you, Margaret!
As if she wasn’t awesome enough already, she also invented the combined clothes and dish washer and the bake pan.
7. Life Raft
Get ready for some real kickass information, ladies! Meet Maria Beasley, an entrepreneur and inventor, who has a total of 14 patents in two countries.
One of her inventions is the life raft which of course is a popular life-saving device it would be a surprise if you haven’t heard about it. And yes, it was Maria Beasley’s life rafts that were used on the actual Titanic.
8. The Modern Refrigerator
There was actually a time when people don’t have refrigerators yet to stuff their food in but thanks to Florence Parpart, we can now have a comfortable life taking out the frozen lasagna for dinner with a glass of cold milk.
Florence is also an experienced businesswoman so after inventing the refrigerator, she didn’t have any problems in selling it to thousands of households. Girl Power indeed!
9. The Computer Algorithm
Move over, Silicon Valley guy nerds. It was actually a woman who was considered to be the first computer programmer in the world named Ada Lovelace.
A genius in mathematics at a young age, Ada Lovelace wrote the first algorithm that was used on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine which is considered one of the first general-purpose computers.
10. Wireless Transmissions
Last but really not the least is Hedy Lamarr who invented a classified communications system during the World War 2. Basically, it’s wi-fi. Yes, Hedy Lamarr invented wi-fi (also the bluetooth technology).
Not cool enough for ya? She’s mostly a self-taught inventor with no real formal training! Oh, and she’s also a well-known actress that has starred in about 30 films aside from all the inventing she did. Wow.
