As we celebrate women’s month, we want to appreciate the amazing ladies that have gone before us and made our quality of life better, as well as paved paths for others to follow in their steps.Women have been making significant contributions to society for centuries, yet their inventions have often been overlooked or attributed to men. From household items to medical breakthroughs, women have played a crucial role in shaping the world we live in.
One of the most well-known inventions by a woman is the dishwasher, which was invented by Josephine Cochrane in the late 19th century. Cochrane was frustrated with the way her servants were chipping her fine china while washing it by hand, so she set out to create a machine that could do the job more efficiently. Her invention revolutionized the way we clean our dishes and paved the way for modern kitchen appliances.
Another important invention by a woman is the windshield wiper, which was patented by Mary Anderson in 1903. Anderson was inspired to create the windshield wiper after observing a trolley driver struggling to see through his windshield during a snowstorm. Her invention has since become a standard feature on all cars and has saved countless lives by improving visibility in inclement weather.
In the field of medicine, women have also made significant contributions. Jane Cooke Wright was an oncologist who pioneered the use of “chemotherapy” with the use of the drug methotrexate to treat breast cancer and skin cancer (mycosis fungoids). Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montaigner discovered HIV, the cause of AIDS.
Women have also been responsible for important advancements in technology. In 1914, during an era when iceboxes were the go-to choice for keeping food chilled, Florence Parpart acquired a patent for the electric refrigerator. She succeeded in marketing the product and continued to improve it over the years.
Ada Lovelace published an algorithm to calculate a sequence of Bernoulli numbers, intended to be carried out by Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine. This note is recognized by historians as the world’s first written computer program.
Would you believe that your favorite beer was created by women in Sumeria and Mesopotamia almost seven thousand years ago? Only women were allowed to drink beer and operate breweries for centuries. They were also the only ones who could run taverns or brew the drink due to their excellent skills.
These are just a few examples of the many things invented by women that have changed the way we live today. It is important to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in all fields, as their inventions have had a profound impact on society. By highlighting the achievements of women inventors, we can inspire future generations of women to pursue their passions and make a difference in the world.
