Buzz
Although history often highlights men as the predominant leaders, philosophers, and inventors, many of the things we cherish today were actually the creations of women.
Whether these creations are fun or essential to our daily lives, the contributions of women have played a major role in shaping our way of life and have left a lasting impact on human history. It’s awe-inspiring to reflect on the collective consciousness of humanity and the remarkable contributions made by certain individuals.
Here are 10 of the most impactful inventions created by women.
10. The Electric Refrigerator
Long before the invention of the refrigerator, iceboxes were the standard method for keeping food chilled and fresh at the right temperature, away from harmful microorganisms that could spoil the food and make us ill. Iceboxes were essentially large shelves packed with snow during the cold winter months, and keeping food cool meant constantly gathering ice for storage.
However, everything changed with the arrival of Florence Parpart. Aside from some census records, we know very little about Parpart. Still, the patent archives confirm that she was the inventor of the refrigerator.
What was the missing link?
Electricity. She had to devise a method to efficiently power an electric circuit within the refrigerator to maintain its coolness. And what could provide that cooling effect? Gas.
Refrigerators function by transforming certain liquids into gases, such as Freon. When these liquids expand into their gas form, they absorb heat from the surrounding environment, which helps keep your food cool. The key to making this process efficient lies in a cycle of gas absorption and expansion within separate sections, ensuring that the liquid doesn't get entirely absorbed and require constant refilling.
These special liquids are known as refrigerants. So, next time you're enjoying a slice of Saint-Andre cheese, take a moment to appreciate the significant role Florence Parpart played in shaping our modern world.
9. The First Treatment For Leprosy
Leprosy is known for causing skin discoloration in certain areas and has been a scourge of humanity since the times of the original Holy Bible. This devastating disease has been part of human history for nearly as long as civilization itself. It attacks the skin, brain, mucous membranes, eyes, mouth, and nose.
Leprosy is an extraordinarily challenging disease to treat. However, there have been successful attempts to control outbreaks, and for many, the disease has been contained.
Alice Ball, a remarkable woman, deserves our gratitude for discovering the method that would lead to the first truly effective treatment for leprosy. Chaulmoogra oil, derived from the seeds of a tree, had limited success initially, as it could not be ingested without causing nausea and vomiting. When injected, however, it failed to spread evenly across the skin.
Instead of dispersing throughout the skin, the oil would remain in patches beneath the surface, making it largely ineffective in treating the disease. Ball, a skilled chemist, developed a method to isolate the fatty acids that hindered the oil's distribution. She created the first injectable version that proved successful.
8. Windshield Wipers
Wherever it rains, windshield wipers ensure drivers' safety by providing a clear view of the road. This life-saving innovation was the work of Mary Anderson, who filed a patent on November 10, 1903, for a device that cleaned the car's windows in rain or snow from inside the vehicle.
The idea struck her in the winter of 1902 as she observed trolley cars passing by. She noticed that drivers had to lean out of their car windows during snowy weather to see the road clearly and stay safe. This led to the invention of the windshield wiper.
Mary Anderson was granted a patent, but things weren't smooth sailing for her. She attempted to pitch her invention to various companies, including a Canadian one, only to be rejected and told her idea was worthless. Sadly, she never profited from her groundbreaking creation.
In 1903, she was awarded a 17-year patent, which expired in 1920. Despite this, as the American automobile industry soared, windshield wipers became a crucial tool for drivers worldwide, as more and more people began owning cars.
7. The One-Handed Syringe
The path of medical innovation has been fraught with trial and error, where the stakes could not have been higher for those in need of urgent care. Over the centuries, inventors wrestled with perfecting the syringe, but it wasn't until much later that the right design finally emerged.
On February 12, 1896, Letitia Mumford Geer filed the very first patent application for the one-handed syringe. While earlier syringes existed, none proved as functional as this model. It was simple for both medical staff and patients to use, especially for diabetics who required self-administered insulin.
Although Geer’s creation has been adapted into the disposable syringe we use today, her original design played a pivotal role in shaping how we deliver and extract substances from our bodies.
6. COBOL
Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL) is a computer programming language that emerged from the 1959 Conference on Data Systems Languages. It was created by Grace Hopper, a U.S. Navy admiral who also pioneered a range of computer technologies.
Grace Hopper played a key role in the development of COBOL, which was initiated by the Department of Defense and private enterprises with a clear purpose: to create a universal language. The objective was to design a computer language that could operate across different hardware systems that often communicated in different dialects. COBOL provided the solution, offering portability across manufacturers and ease of comprehension for computers.
Though COBOL was mostly replaced by the 1990s, it originally served as the vital programming language that allowed computers from different manufacturers to communicate with each other seamlessly. For many years, COBOL acted as the backbone of computing systems until it was eventually replaced by more modern alternatives.
5. Wi-Fi
Actress Hedy Lamarr was known not only for her beauty but also for her intelligence. She came to America to escape Nazi Germany and start anew. Lamarr was destined for fame and soon shared the spotlight with Hollywood's brightest stars and talents of the era.
Before she achieved stardom in the U.S., Lamarr had collaborated with a composer to create a technology that would help minimize signal issues in telecommunications during World War II. This innovation later became crucial to many modern technologies, including Wi-Fi.
Lamarr's frequency-hopping invention was freely given to assist in the war effort against the Nazis. However, over time, she watched her creation evolve into the foundation for cellular phone technology and many other applications. Regrettably, she never received financial compensation for her invention, despite holding the patent. Still, her contributions likely saved countless lives during the war.
It took about 50 years for Lamarr to receive recognition for her invention, and she was honored with an award. She spent her later years in the U.S. and passed away in Orlando at the age of 86.
4. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Everyone who enjoys a chocolate chip cookie can thank Ruth Graves Wakefield, who created it by accident one day. The most remarkable part is that it all happened unintentionally.
In 1930, Ruth decided to make a batch of chocolate butter drop cookies. As she was about to add baker's chocolate to the dough, she realized she had run out of it. Instead, she chopped up a regular chocolate bar, added the pieces to the dough, and hoped the chocolate would melt evenly when baked.
She was wrong in her assumption, but the cookies turned out to be a huge hit. Ruth was at the Toll House Inn, where she also taught food preparation. With an eager audience who loved the new cookies, Toll House chocolate chip cookies were born. Enjoy!
3. Beer
Beer boasts a fascinating and lengthy history, filled with intrigue. Whether you're a fan of a hoppy IPA or a rich stout, the extensive process that perfected the beer you're savoring today originally began under the careful hands of women.
Although it's believed that beer was first 'discovered' by accident over 10,000 years ago when bread-making efforts went awry, the intentional brewing of beer began in the Fertile Crescent around 7,000 to 9,000 years ago.
Scholars have pointed out that, historically, it was primarily women who were responsible for brewing and crafting beer. It wasn't until the rise of medieval and modern Christianity that beer-making became a male-dominated activity, often carried out by monks who lived off beer for extended periods.
Throughout history, countless recipes were developed and perfected by women who worked tirelessly to create the best beer they could for their communities. This is understandable, given the long-standing tradition of dividing labor between the sexes in many societies.
So, pour yourself a refreshing EPA, savor its taste, and appreciate the many hours of hard work and entrepreneurial spirit that went into crafting that perfect drink just for you.
2. Electric Water Heater
In the next few days, you’re likely to enjoy a relaxing hot shower. The innovation that made it all possible dates back to 1917 when Ida Forbes received the patent for the very first electric water heater. To this day, her original design is still featured in advertisements and even on products, a testament to the importance of hot showers in our lives.
Electric water heaters have undergone years of development to become the essential appliances we rely on today—ranging from compact, portable units to medium-sized closet models to large-scale versions designed for bigger buildings. In most developed countries, nearly all water that isn’t used for cooking is heated by a descendant of one of these units.
Finished your workout, or about to go out for sushi and in need of a shower? Thank Ida Forbes for the invention that ensures that shower won’t be a chilly one.
1. Computer Software
Computer software was invented by a woman. Yes, all of it. Ada Lovelace, born Augusta Ada Byron and the daughter of poet Lord Byron, was an Englishwoman who wasn’t exactly raised in poverty. She had the privilege of a private education, which set her on an extraordinary path.
Later, she developed a method for teaching the Analytical Engine (the first computer) how to compute specific types of numbers. And thus, computer software was born.
The first known computer language was named 'Ada' in her honor, and it continues to be used in various forms today. Although it has evolved, the core principles of Ada remain intact and are still part of some programs in use today.
