Women inventors

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Encouraging Innovative Thinking

Recognize the Unusual

The tendency to see non-obvious connections and relationships often leads inventors to the key insight that is the basis for their invention.

DO Try This at Home!

Make a Polymer

Be inspired by the work of Kevlar© inventor Stephanie Kwolek with this How-To guide to making your own polymer!

Invention Stories

Stephanie Kwolek: Kevlar® Inventor

The ubiquitous fiber that had an unlikely beginning.

Invention Stories

Krysta Morlan: Waterbike Inventor

While still in high school, Krysta Morlan invented the Waterbike—a semi-submersible, fin-propelled vehicle powered by the rider’s legs.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Patti McGee and Di Dootson Rose, Pioneering Skateboarders

Patti McGee and Di Dootson Rose talk about their lives as women skateboarders and offer some insight on skateboarding's place in American culture.

Invention Stories

Inventing for Man's Best Friend

Inventions over the years have lengthened pet lives—and increased their quality of life with safer toys.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Robin Logan and Cindy Whitehead, Pioneering Skateboarders

Robin Logan and Cindy Whitehead talk about their lives as two of the first professional women skateboarders and offer some insight on skateboarding’s place in American culture.

Invention Stories

Joining the Boys Club: Cindy Whitehead and Skateboarding

Cindy Whitehead is one of the only women ever to be featured riding vert in the centerfold of a skateboarding magazine.

Invention Stories

Rocket Scientist and Inventor Yvonne Brill

I venture to guess that when most people hear “rocket scientist” either they envision a man wearing a lab coat. Meet rocket scientist and inventor Yvonne Brill.

Encouraging Innovative Thinking

Girls Get Science (and Invention)

Since the Lemelson Center was founded in 1995, we’ve had the great fortune of researching, documenting, and highlighting an array of amazing historic and contemporary women inventors, and one of the great parts of my job is sharing those stories with girls and their parents.

Invention Stories

Charismatic Women

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

Invention Stories

Try It: Fresh Paper

A young woman's concern for food waste lead to a remarkable invention.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Liz Lerman Nurtures Civic Dialogue and Creativity through Dance

The choreographer’s studio is a hot spot of innovation for the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange.

Beyond Words

Podcast: Historian Jane Lancaster Follows Lillian Gilbreth’s Quest to “Have it All Ways”

Industrial psychologist Lillian Gilbreth (1878-1972) revolutionized management techniques and improved workplaces for all kinds of workers.

Lemelson Center Books

The Spirit of Invention

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: Grace Hopper Led America into the Information Age

Author Kurt Beyer describes the life and legacy of inventor and computer programmer Grace Murray Hopper.

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: Deanne Bell Believes Engineering is for Girls

Deanne Bell, engineer and co-host of PBS's "Design Squad," talks about inspiring inventive creativity in young people, especially girls.