In honor of International Women’s Day today, (Tuesday, March 8, 2011) and this year’s UN theme – “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.” – here is Guerrilla Girls On Tour’s! list of some of the most important inventions by women.
The hand-crank ice cream freezer – patented in 1843 by Nancy Johnson.
The commercial oven – Emeline Hart, a member of the Shaker community, 1876.
The vacuum canning process – Amanda Theodosia Jones.
The clothes wringer – Ellen Eglin who sold her patent rights for a pittance rather than market it herself because she thought that if people knew a black woman invented the wringer, white women would not use it.
The modern intravenous drip – Justine Wanger.
The trash can with a step-on lever to open the lid – Lillian Gilbreth (shown in photo), best known for designing a model kitchen for the handicapped and the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineers.
The dishwasher – Josephine Cochran, 1889.
The rotary washing machine – Margaret Plunkett Colvin, 1871.
The flat-bottomed paper bag – Martha Knight, 1870. She was also the
the first woman in the U.S. to fight and win a patent suit.
Liquid paper – Bette Nesmith Graham
You go girls!