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.
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Few safety inventions by women |
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.
- https://fleming.events/articles/queens-of-safety-inventions/
- https://www.homeservicesinsurance.com/blog/celebrating-women-inventors-innovations-in-safety-and-insurance
- https://www.cadcrowd.com/blog/top-101-female-inventions-that-changed-the-world-womens-innovation-history/
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018
Good one, thought provoking too👏👏👏
ReplyDeleteThank you <3
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