Top 10 Groundbreaking Inventions by Female Innovators in History
Last Updated :
10 Nov, 2023
Men have always dominated science and inventions, big names like Thomas Edison – Inventor of the Bulb, Nikola Tesla – Inventor of the and AC current, Alexander Graham Bell- Inventor of the Telephone are remembered by many people, but people forget to notice female inventions like Monopoly by Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie, solar-powered house by Maria Telkes and many more.
In this article, we are going to see some unnoticed female inventors and their inventions.
Top 10 Female Inventions in the World
We have some of the most underrated female inventions that people would’ve forgotten. We have covered all types of inventions to show the variety of female inventions and women inventors.
Check out top 15 female inventions below:
1. Circular Saw by Tabitha Babbitt (1813)
- Year: 1813
- Invented by: Tabitha Babbitt
- Type of saw: Circular saw
- Usage: Sawmill
- Benefits: More efficient than the pit saw, could be operated by one person
- Impact: Helped to revolutionize the lumber industry and build the American West
Tabitha Babbitt’s invention of the circular saw in 1813 revolutionized the lumber industry. Her saw was more efficient and easier to use than the pit saw, and it helped to make it possible to produce mass quantities of lumber. Babbitt’s saw is also credited with helping to build the American West. She never patented her invention, believing that it was her duty to share her ideas with others. Her unselfishness and dedication to her community make her an inspiration.
2. Word Processor by Evelyn Berezin (1971)
- Year: 1971
- Invented by: Evelyn Berezin
- Type of processor: Word processor
- Features: Standalone system, keyboard, printer, text storage and editing
- Impact: Revolutionized the way that documents were created and produced
The first computerized word processor, the Data Secretary, was invented by Evelyn Berezin in 1971. It was a major breakthrough in word processing technology and helped to revolutionize the way that documents were created and produced. Berezin’s invention has had a profound impact on the way that we write and communicate today.
3. Computer Algorithm by Ada Lovelace (1843)
- Year: 1843
- Author: Ada Lovelace
- Purpose: To calculate Bernoulli numbers
- Significance: First published algorithm ever specifically tailored for implementation on a computer
- Characteristics: General, efficient, and well-documented
Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer, developed a groundbreaking computer algorithm for calculating Bernoulli numbers in 1843. Her algorithm was remarkable for its generality, efficiency, and documentation. Lovelace’s work helped to lay the foundation for the development of modern computers and programming languages, and her ideas about loops, conditional statements, and subroutines are still used in computer programming today.
4. Dishwasher by Josephine Cochrane (1886)
- Year invented: 1886
- Invented by: Josephine Cochrane
- Type of appliance: Dishwasher
- Features: Hand-operated, first to use water pressure instead of scrubbers, could wash and dry 240 dishes in two minutes
- Impact: Revolutionized the way dishes were cleaned, especially in restaurants and hotels
Josephine Cochrane invented the first practical dishwasher in 1886, revolutionizing the way dishes were cleaned. Her hand-operated dishwasher used water pressure instead of scrubbers to wash and dry 240 dishes in two minutes, a significant improvement over hand-washing. Her invention made dishwashing easier and faster, freeing up people’s time and energy for other activities.
5. Fire Escape by Anna Connelly (1887)
- Year invented: 1887
- Invented by: Anna Connelly
- Type of safety device: Fire escape
- Features: Exterior ladder that could be lowered from a window or balcony, attached to a cable anchored to the roof of the building
- Impact: Major breakthrough in fire safety, helped to save many lives, still used today in buildings all over the world
Anna Connelly invented the fire escape in 1887, inspired by a deadly hotel fire where many people died because they were trapped in their rooms. Her fire escape was a simple but effective device that consisted of a ladder that could be lowered from a window or balcony. It helped to save many lives and is still used today in buildings all over the world.
6. Medical Syringe by Letitia Geer (1899)
- Year invented: 1899
- Invented by: Letitia Mumford Geer
- Type of medical device: Medical syringe
- Features: One-handed operation, glass parts, piston rod with U-shaped handle
- Impact: Revolutionized the way that injections were administered, making them safer and more efficient
Letitia Geer’s medical syringe was a major breakthrough in medical technology. Her syringe was the first to be designed for one-handed operation, and it was also the first to use glass parts. This made the syringe more sanitary and easier to clean. Geer’s syringe also had a piston rod with a U-shaped handle, which made it easier to control the flow of liquid.
Geer’s syringe was a significant improvement over previous syringes, which were often difficult to use and could be dangerous. Her syringe made it possible to administer injections more safely and efficiently, and it helped to revolutionize the way that medicine was practiced.
7. Windshield Wiper by Mary Anderson (1903)
- Year invented: 1903
- Invented by: Mary Anderson
- Type of device: Windshield wiper
- Features: Lever-operated, spring-loaded rubber blade
- Impact: Revolutionized the way that vehicles were driven in inclement weather, improving safety and visibility
Mary Anderson’s invention of the windshield wiper in 1903 revolutionized automotive safety and convenience by improving visibility in inclement weather, making it easier for drivers to avoid collisions and other hazards. Her windshield wiper is considered to be one of the most important automotive inventions of all time.
8. The first Monopoly game by Elizabeth Magie (1904)
- Year invented: 1904
- Invented by: Elizabeth Magie
- Type of game: Board game
- Features: Designed to demonstrate the economic consequences of land monopolism and the use of land value taxation as a remedy
- Impact: Inspiration for the popular board game Monopoly
Elizabeth Magie’s The Landlord’s Game was the first Monopoly game, invented in 1904 to teach players about the Georgist economic theory of land value taxation. It was popular among Georgists but not a commercial success. Charles Darrow’s Monopoly, based on Magie’s game, became a huge success in 1934.
9. Bullet-proof Fiber by Stephanie Kwolek (1965)
- Year invented: 1965
- Invented by: Stephanie Kwolek
- Type of fiber: Synthetic fiber
- Features: Stronger than steel, but lighter than fiberglass
- Impact: Revolutionized the production of bulletproof vests and other body armor, saving countless lives
Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar, a synthetic fiber stronger than steel but lighter than fiberglass. Kevlar is used in bulletproof vests, tires, aerospace components, and sporting goods to improve safety, saving countless lives. Kwolek is an inspiration to women and girls everywhere.
10. Beer by Marie Van Brittan Brown (1969)
- Year invented: 1969
- Invented by: Marie Van Brittan Brown
- Type of product: Home security system
- Features: Closed-circuit television (CCTV), four cameras, microphone, monitor, alarm
- Impact: Revolutionized home security,
Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first home security system in 1969, revolutionizing the industry and making it more affordable and accessible to everyone.
List of More Inventions by Women
Hedy Lamarr |
1942 |
Wireless communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS |
Maria Telkes |
1942 |
Water purification |
Ann Tsukamoto |
1991 |
Stem cell research and regenerative medicine |
Melitta Bentz |
1908 |
Coffee brewing |
Gertrude B. Elion |
1959 and 1985 |
Organ transplant therapy and HIV/AIDS treatment |
Grace Hopper |
1952 |
Computer programming |
Helen Greiner |
1985 |
Supercomputing |
Nettie Stevens |
1902 |
Genetics and sex determination |
Eliza Leslie |
1847 |
Cooking |
Mary Kies |
1858 |
Laundry |
Lillian Gilbreth |
1904 |
Typewriting |
Nancy Johnson |
1843 |
Ice cream making |
Juliette Morrill |
1893 |
Food slicing |
Anna Wood |
1873 |
Child transportation |
Lydia Pinkham |
1871 |
Hair styling |
Jennie Patrick |
1885 |
Waste disposal |
Myra Terry |
1869 |
Fire safety |
Margarett Knight |
1903 |
Cleaning |
Agnes Jones |
1917 |
Respiratory protection |
Margaret Slosson |
1920 |
Hearing assistance |
Ruth Adair |
1945 |
Blood transfusion |
Gertrude Elion |
1942 |
Microscopy |
Rosalind Franklin |
1953 |
DNA sequencing |
Mary-Dell Chilton |
1974 |
Genetic engineering |
Martha S. Pitkow |
1967 |
Computer-aided design |
Susannah York |
1960 |
Lasers |
Maria Telkes |
1959 |
Fuel cell technology |
Maria Telkes |
1959 |
Solar energy |
Bertha Benz |
1886 |
Electric vehicles |
Harriet Quimby |
1911 |
Aviation |
Emily Warren Roebling |
1942 |
Helicopter technology |
Beatrice Davidson |
1963 |
Submarine technology |
Ann Blades |
1951 |
Hovercraft technology |
Sally Ride |
1983 |
Space exploration |
Rosalind Franklin |
1953 |
Artificial intelligence |
Ivan Sutherland |
1965 |
Virtual reality |
Joseph Engelberger |
1956 |
Robotics |
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Summing up
Scientists and Inventors play a huge role in shaping our lives and making it easier. Many people didn’t know about female inventors and inventions.
Women inventors have also played a huge role in shaping our world, from important medical inventions to fun board games, they have given a lot to this world. Let’s appreciate their work and recognize them.
Top Female Inventions- FAQs
Q1. Who is a famous woman in science?
There are many famous woman scientist and inventors. Here are top 10 famous female scientists:
- Marie Curie
- Ada Lovelace
- Rosalind Franklin
- Rachel Carson
- Jane Goodall
- Dorothy Hodgkin
- Katherine Johnson
- Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
- Lise Meitner
- Grace Hopper
Q2. Who is the most successful female scientist?
One can not declare a particular scientist as most successful, but here are three most prominent female scientist
- Marie Curie (1867-1934): Researched in Radioactivity. Recieved 2 nobel prizes in different fields.
- Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000): Invented a frequency-hopping spread-spectrum communication system that served as the model for current Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies.
- Tu Youyou (1930-present): She discovered artemisinin, a drug to save millions from malaria. She also became first chinese woman to win nobel prize.
Q3. Who is the first Indian woman in science?
Here is list of some prominent Indian female inventors/scientist:
- Anandabai Gopalrao Joshi
- Kamala Sohonie
- Asima Chatterjee
- Uma Kotnis
- T. Janaki Ammal
Q4. What did female scientists invent?
- Marie Curie Radium – polonium, X-ray
- Hedy Lamarr – Frequency-hopping spread-spectrum communication system
- Tu Youyou – Artemisinin, a drug that has saved millions of lives from malaria
- Rosalind Franklin – X-ray diffraction images that helped lead to the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA
- Grace Hopper – Compiler for the UNIVAC I computer, one of the first programming languages
- Ada Lovelace – Analytical Engine
Q5. Who is the first female inventor?
Mary Kies is considered the first female patent holder in the United States. She received patent number 9,034 on May 5, 1809, for a technique of weaving straw with silk thread to create hats.
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