Beyond Patents: Women’s Innovations in Everyday Safety

When we think of inventors, names like Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, or Nikola Tesla often come to mind. But what about Maria Beasley, Anna Connelly, Margaret Wilcox, or Stephanie Kwolek? Why do we know so little about the women inventors?

For centuries, women were systematically excluded from innovation and recognition. Patents were out of the question when they couldn’t even own property or hold bank accounts. This erasure led to the creation of a male-dominated historical narrative, leaving the contributions of women largely unrecognized. Sybilla Righton Masters, for instance, circumvented legal restrictions by having her husband receive a 1715 patent for her corn-curing invention, a common reality for women inventors who had to rely on male relatives for recognition. Yet, despite these barriers, women have persisted, creating groundbreaking inventions that have shaped the modern world. 

Interestingly, a significant proportion of famous inventions by women fall within the realm of safety. From life-saving devices to protective materials, women inventors have played a crucial role in making the world safer. Their innovations are so integral to daily life that we often take them for granted—imagine a world without fire escapes, life rafts, or mechanical syringes. The absence of these inventions would leave us more vulnerable to diseases, disasters, accidents, and violence. By addressing crucial gaps in safety technology, women inventors have not only saved lives but also reshaped how we value human life in the modern world.        

Few safety inventions by women


Although women were kept out from the field of medicine except in nursing and midwifery for a long time, many pioneering women have made groundbreaking medical innovations that still save lives today. In 1952, Dr. Virginia Apgar introduced the Apgar Score, a simple yet revolutionary system that drastically reduced infant mortality and remains a global hospital standard. Letitia Geer, a nurse, in 1899, designed a one-handed syringe, simplifying and improving the safety of medication administration. Her design laid the foundation for the modern syringes still in use. Florence Barbara Seibert, an American biochemist, transformed medical diagnostics by developing the first reliable tuberculosis test and improving the safety of intravenous injections. Katharine McCormick, a biologist and philanthropist, played a crucial role in developing the birth control pill by funding research in the 1950s. Her support led to a groundbreaking advancement that gave women unprecedented control over their reproductive health and contributed to gender equality.

In 1887, Anna Connelly revolutionized building safety with her external fire escape, which laid the foundation for modern fire regulations. Maria Beasley, a prolific inventor and entrepreneur, patented at least 15 inventions, including a foot warmer and an anti-derailment device, but her most significant creation came in 1880 when she redesigned the life raft. Her foldable, fireproof raft with guardrails significantly improved maritime safety, proving life-saving during the Titanic disaster. Despite her achievements, societal biases remained, as the 1880 US Census still listed her as an “unemployed housewife.”

In the automotive and military safety sectors, women have also made pivotal advancements. Mary Elizabeth Anderson invented the windshield wiper in 1903, a device controlled from inside the vehicle, though it struggled to gain commercial support. In 1962, British journalist Jean Ames designed the first car seat focused on safety, featuring rear-facing placement, a 3-point harness, and integration with the vehicle’s seatbelt, later enhancing it with a 5-point harness. Similarly, Florence Lawrence, an actress and inventor, created the first mechanical signaling arm for cars in 1914, a precursor to modern turn signals and brake lights, which became essential to road safety. Stephanie Kwolek’s 1965 discovery of Kevlar—a lightweight yet incredibly strong material—transformed personal protection, becoming a key component in bulletproof vests, helmets, and other protective gear.

Recent innovators continue to build on these groundbreaking achievements. Young innovators like Ann Makosinski have made significant contributions, with her invention of a body heat-powered emergency LED flashlight at just 15 years old in 2010, offering a reliable light source without batteries or electricity. Similarly, in 2016, Helen Lee developed a DNA-based instant blood diagnostic kit that detects infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, and chlamydia, requiring no cold storage or transport, making it ideal for countries with limited infrastructure.

The disproportionate number of safety-related inventions by women raises important questions about whether these innovations are driven by innate biological tendencies or societal conditioning. On one hand, it could be argued that women’s biological role as caregivers and protectors of offspring has led to an innate drive to create solutions that ensure safety and survival. This perspective suggests that women’s inventions in safety are a natural extension of their evolutionary role in safeguarding their families and communities. On the other hand, societal conditioning may play a significant role. Historically, women have been steered toward roles that emphasize caregiving and protection, which could influence the types of inventions they pursue. Additionally, safety-related inventions by women may receive more attention and recognition because they align with societal expectations of women as nurturers. In contrast, inventions by women in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as high-power engines or industrial machinery, might face greater resistance or lack of visibility.  

The contributions of women inventors to safety technology have been nothing short of transformative. From fire escapes to Kevlar, their innovations have saved countless lives and shaped the world we live in today. Without their ingenuity and perseverance, the world would be a far more dangerous place. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that innovation knows no gender—and that a safer, more advanced world is built by recognizing and celebrating everyone’s contributions.

Written by Janaky S. and edited by Parvathy Ramachandran @ThinkHer


References

  1. https://fleming.events/articles/queens-of-safety-inventions/
  2. https://www.homeservicesinsurance.com/blog/celebrating-women-inventors-innovations-in-safety-and-insurance
  3. https://www.cadcrowd.com/blog/top-101-female-inventions-that-changed-the-world-womens-innovation-history/
  4. Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women, Catherine Thimmesh, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018

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