Women Inventors Who Helped Shape the World Today

Have you ever stopped to think about the incredible women inventors who have played a role in shaping the world as we know it today? Throughout history, women have been pioneers in innovation and creativity, yet their achievements have often been overlooked or dismissed. From household items to life-saving medical devices, women inventors have left their mark on the world in more ways than one. While they may not always receive the recognition they deserve, women inventors have made significant contributions to society in various fields. And we are here to talk about these achievements!

Women Inventors We Need to Thank Everyday

It is important to say thank you to these women inventors who created some of our most common everyday items. This includes:

5. Mary Anderson (Windshield Wipers)

Mary Anderson, originally from Alabama, had the epiphany for windshield wipers during a wintry day in New York City in 1902. She witnessed the chaos caused by inadequate windshield cleaning methods leading to traffic congestion. That is how she embarked on brainstorming solutions for a better wiper system. Anderson’s innovation culminated in the patenting of her “window cleaning device” in 1903, forever changing automotive safety and convenience.

4. Elizabeth Magie (Monopoly)

Elizabeth Magie created “The Landlord’s Game” in 1904. It served as a tool to educate people about the negative consequences of monopolies and unregulated capitalism. With a patent granted in the same year, her game aimed to highlight the dangers of accumulating vast wealth at the expense of others. However, in 1935, Charles Darrow, an unemployed heating salesman, sold a copy of Magie’s game to the Parker Brothers. He amassed great wealth from it, while Magie herself sold her patent to the same company for a mere $500. This stark discrepancy in outcomes underscores the irony of the situation, where the original inventor received minimal recognition and compensation compared to someone who capitalized on her idea.

3. Anna Connelly (Fire Escapes)

In 1887, Connelly invented a device enabling people to escape fires by moving between buildings and descending structures using steel staircases. This invention was also beneficial for firefighters, facilitating the hoisting of equipment up buildings to fight fires externally.

2. Grace Hopper (Programming)

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, dubbed “Amazing Grace” by her peers, was a groundbreaking computer operator in the US Navy. Working on early computers like the Mark I, she programmed and repaired them. Hopper’s most notable achievement was developing the world’s first compiler, enabling programming for multiple computers and laying the groundwork for one of the earliest programming languages.

1. Hedy Lamarr (WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS)

Yes, you read that right! Your AirPods Max would never work without the help of one woman! Hedy Lamarr, renowned as a film actress and often compared to Snow White for her beauty, was also an avid inventor. During World War II, she partnered with a colleague to create “frequency hopping” technology, initially intended to guide missiles, but later laid the foundation for wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

What are some women inventors you know of?

You might also want to read: These Are Some of the Most Influential Women in History