March is Women's History Month. It's a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the many contributions that women have made to the world, and that includes contributions to science, technology, and business.
Although women haven't historically been accorded the same political, social, and educational rights as men, that hasn't stopped them from making their mark as innovators. Here, we'll explore a few famous female inventors and the impact of their creations:
Beulah Louise Henry (1887-1973)
Beulah Louise Henry was a precocious child who turned her natural curiosity into the fuel for a lifelong career as an inventor. By the end of her life she accumulated 49 patents, although her total number of inventions was far higher. Notably, she also remained single, childless, and extremely independent for her entire life—a rarity for women in the early twentieth century.
Henry's inventions spanned a wide range of categories and functions, but they were all united in their ability to make life easier for users. Her creations included a vacuum ice cream maker, a number of innovations to make typewriters more efficient and user-friendly, toys and learning devices for children, and a bobbinless sewing machine.
Temple Grandin (1947-present)
Temple Grandin has had to overcome a lot of challenges to get to where she is now—a renowned academic, author, inventor, and public figure. In addition to being a woman in agriculture and academia (two traditionally male-dominated fields), Temple also has autism.
However, she turned what most people might consider a weakness into her greatest strength. Grandin is passionate about the humane treatment of livestock, and has invented multiple systems and devices that help keep animals calm and prevent them from being hurt while being handled, transported, or processed. She was granted a patent for her farm handling system, and continues to teach at Colorado State University. She's also an outspoken advocate for autism and the power of neurodivergence.
Ellen Ochoa (1958-present)
Ellen Ochoa isn't just an inventor—she's also a pioneer. In 1993, she embarked on a nine-day mission to space aboard the Discovery, making her the first female Hispanic astronaut. Later, she would go on to become the director of the Johnson Space Center.
In addition to her adventures in space, Ochoa was a researcher for NASA studying optical systems for performing information processing. Her research led to her being granted three patents as the co-inventor of new optical devices.
If you are interested in historic female inventors, come pay us a visit! Hagley's Nation of Inventors Exhibit is filled with examples of other famous female inventors who have used their ingenuity to change the world for the better.
The mission of Hagley Museum and Library is to foster innovation and inspiration through our historical collections. Located on the site of E.I. du Pont's gunpowder works, Hagley's offerings include a library dedicated to the study of American business and technology, a unique patent model collection, and the restored historical mill and workers' community, as well as the home and gardens of the du Pont family. Hagley also hosts a variety of events intended to educate and engage the wider community. Plan your visit today, or consider donating to support our work!