Women inventors

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Invention Stories

Charismatic Women

Former Lemelson Center staff member Anna Karvellas reminisced about strong women in history who inspired her.

Lemelson Center Books

The Spirit of Invention: The Story of the Thinkers, Creators, and Dreamers Who Formed Our Nation (2009) by Julie M. Fenster tells the stories of both heralded and unknown inventors from all eras and walks of life.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Madam C. J. Walker Had a Good Head for Hair Care, Part 2 (of 2)

A'Lelia Bundles explains her quest to document her famous great-great-grandmother's life and legacy.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Madam C. J. Walker Had a Good Head for Hair Care, Part 1 (of 2)

A'Lelia Bundles explains her quest to document her famous great-great-grandmother's life and legacy.

Lemelson Center Research

The Diversity of Invention

To expand our knowledge of the full range of inventors, we have made it a priority to document and feature women and minority inventors from the past and present.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Sharon Rogone Invents for Preemies, Part 1 (of 2)

Sharon Rogone, a neonatal nurse-turned-inventor, talks about her first invention and why she started to invent.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Ann Moore Keeps Babies "Snugli"

Ann Moore talks about inventing the "Snugli" baby carrier, inspired by the traditional West African practice of carrying babies in fabric slings on their mothers' backs.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Gertrude Elion Inspires Others, Part 2 (of 2)

Nobel Prize winner Getrude Elion inspired others to follow in her inventive footsteps.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Gertrude Elion Opens Doors, Part 1 (of 2)

Nobel Prize winner Getrude Elion opened doors for women in the field of medical research.

Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: Sally Fox, Colorful Cottons

Two strong threads of interest weave through Sally Fox's life as an innovator: a passion for natural fibers and textiles, and an equally passionate commitment to protecting and preserving the environment. It was the coming together of these two interests that led her to develop Fox Fibre®, the first commercially spinnable, naturally colored cotton.

Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: The Right To Sight: Patricia Bath

Trailblazer Dr. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe for the treatment of cataracts and continues to passionately fight for the prevention, treatment, and cure of blindness.

Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: Janese Swanson, Beyond Pink and Fluffy

As the head of Girl Tech, Dr. Janese Swanson develops products and services that encourage girls to use new technologies, such as the Internet. Her mission is to help change society's perceptions of girls and girls' perceptions of themselves.

Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: Patsy Sherman, Go Ahead—Put Your Feet on the Furniture!

Patsy Sherman was one of the few women chemists to work for a major corporation when she was hired by 3M in 1952. She and her colleauge Sam Smith, as well as 3M, patented Scotchgard®, the popular rain and stain repellent for textiles.

Invention Stories

Exploring the History of Women Inventors

How likely is it that any American of any age could rattle off the names of five women inventors?

Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: Protecting Precious Cargo: Ann Moore

Inspired by the way African mothers carried their babies in fabric slings tied to their backs, former Peace Corps nurse Ann Moore developed the Snugli and Weego soft baby carriers and other kinds of specialized carrying cases.

Invention Stories

Papers Illustrate Woman Inventor's Life and Work

Learn more about Marion O'Brien Donovan (1917-1998), who earned 20 patents and was one of the few commercially successful female inventors of her era.

Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: Stephanie Kwolek and Kevlar®, The Wonder Fiber

A chemist testing new synthetic polymers at DuPont in the 1960s, Stephanie Kwolek discovered a substance that weighs very little but is strong and stiff beyond anyone's imagination. A few years later, her invention—Kevlar®—is used to make bullet-resistant vests and helmets, saving thousands of lives.