We are used to seeing men as the pioneer of many inventions but little did we
know that some of the most common things we use were invented by ingenious women.
Some Amazing Women... Enjoy! :)
The Car Heater:
Margaret A. Wilcox invented the first car heater in 1893. The car heater
directed air from over the engine to warm the chilly toes of noble's in
19th-century motorists.
Monopoly:
Elizabeth Magie invents one of the most famous board games of all time
'The Landlord's Game' (Monopoly now) in 1904. Magie's game was a criticism
of the injustices of unchecked capitalism, unfortunately 30 years later her
game was completely ripped off by Charles Darrow, who sold it to Parker Brothers.
Parker Brothers tracked down Magie and paid her $500 for her part.
The Fire Escape:
Anna Connelly invented the fire escape in 1887. This is so vital to public safety
and has saved many lives ever since.
The Life Raft/Boats:
Maria Beasely invented life boats in 1882, wishing that, "People should stop dying
in huge transportation disasters." Her invention is vital for saving lives
and survival in the open sea. She also invented a machine for making barrels that
made her incredibly rich.
Residential Solar Heating:
Dr. Maria Telkes, a physicist and a solar-power pioneer, collaborated with an
equally equipped woman, Eleanor Raymond, an architect, to build the first home
fully heated by solar power in 1947. Their 'Solar One' was the first solar-heated
home.
The Medical Syringe:
Letitia Geer invented a medical syringe in 1899. This medical syringe can be
operated with only one hand. An innovation only doctors and nurses using it
appreciate - The rest of us, not so much.
The Modern Electric Refrigerator:
Florence Parpart invented the modern electric refrigerator in 1914. Parpart
also invented and received a patent for a massively improved street-cleaning
machine, in 1900. She promoted it and sold it to cities across the United States
of America.
The Ice Cream Maker:
Nancy Johnson invented the ice cream freezer in 1843, patenting a design which
is still used to the current day, even after the invention of electric ice
cream makers. Her design is still the best when it comes to ice cream flavors
and taste.
The Computer Algorithm:
Ada Lovelace from a young age became a champion of mathematics. She was encouraged
by her scientist mother. Lovelace became 'the first computer programmer' as she
worked with Charles Babbage at the University of London on his plans for an
'analytic engine' (i.e. old-time computer) to develop ways to program the
machine with mathematical algorithms.
Telecommunications Technology:
Dr Shirley Jackson is a theoretical physicist and she was the first black
woman to receive a Ph.D. from MIT, in 1973. While working at Bell Laboratories,
she conducted breakthrough basic scientific research that gave a boost to other
inventors to invent the portable fax, touch tone telephone, solar cells,
fiber optic cables, and the technology behind caller ID and call waiting that
we enjoy today.
The Dishwasher:
Josephine Cochrane invented the dishwasher in 1887. In an era where men ruled
the land, she courageously marketed her invention to hotel owners. Even without
a husband, brother, or father helping her, she valiantly succeeded and in the
end she even opened her own factory.
Wireless Transmissions Technology:
Hedy Lamarr, a world-famous film star, invented the wireless transmissions
technology. Her invention of secret communications system during World War II
for radio-controlled torpedoes, employing 'frequency hopping' technology, has
been the technological backbone for what we know now as from Wi-Fi to GPS.
CCTV:
Marie Van Brittan Brown invented CCTV. During 1960s, police were slow to respond to calls for help in the neighbourhood
of New York City, because of this MS Brown invented a system called
'Closed-Circuit Television' security, it was intended to help people guarantee
their own security until the police arrived. She received her patented in 1969.
Her invention is the mother for all modern CCTV systems used for home security
and police work today.
The Paper Bag:
Margaret Knight invented square-bottomed bags that are still used widely and in
stores until this day. She received her patent for the machine in 1871, after a
long legal battle with Charles Anan, who tried to steal her work by arguing that a
woman couldn't possibly have invented such a brilliant device. When Knight was 12
years old, she invented a safety device for cotton mills which is also still
used today.
Central Heating:
Alice H. Parker invented a system of gas-powered central heating furnace in 1919.
However, her design was never built, it was the first time an inventor had
conceived of using natural gas to heat a personal home. Parker's gas heating
furnace revolutionized how people heat their homes and inspired the central
heating systems of today.
Kevlar:
Stephanie Kwolek is a chemist who invented the super-strong Kevlar fibre, used
to make bulletproof vests. Kwolek's invention is five times stronger than steel,
and also has around 200 other uses.
Computer Software:
Dr Grace Murray Hopper is a computer scientist who invented COBOL -
'the first user-friendly business computer software program'. She was the
first person to use the term 'bug' to describe a glitch in a computer system,
after discovering an actual moth triggering trouble in her computer. She is
also a rear admiral in the U.S. navy.
Mesopotamian Women - 'Beer':
Believe it or not, beer is totally a woman's drink. According to beer
historian Jane Peyton, she claims that ancient Mesopotamian women were
the first to develop, sell, and even drink beer. It's still unknown
who exactly 'invented' the beer we know, enjoy, and love.
A Salute To These Great Women And Their Inventions!
For those of you who Want More FUN - Visit The Shangy Fun List! Variety is the
spice of life! The Shangy Fun List is an ezine packed full of Poems, Inspirational and
Heart Warming Stories. Jokes from G to slightly R, and Anything else that just
might make you SMILE! Join In The Free FUN!! ... :)
SHANGRALA'S
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