80 Brilliant Women Inventors Who Changed the World

80 Brilliant Women Inventors Who Changed the World

Take a look around you. From the screen you’re scrolling through right now, to the surface you’re on, probably a chair, each object has a story.

One of human ingenuity, a spark that in a way ignited progress and reshaped our world. “Inventors,” are the brilliant minds behind the creation of these items.

However, as often happened in human history, the contributions of some brilliant women inventors were dimmed, and their names and their achievements were downplayed or buried in silence.

This is where our journey begins. It’s a chance to rewrite the narrative, to shine a light on the remarkable women whose inventions undeniably changed the world.

So join me, and let’s meet 80 of these extraordinary female minds. From the legendary Marie Curie, whose groundbreaking work with radioactivity unlocked the secrets of the universe, to the ever-inventive Ruth Wakefield, who, in a moment of culinary rebellion, gifted us the irresistible chocolate chip cookie.

These are not just names etched in dusty textbooks.  They are the mothers of modern civilization as we know it from medicine to communication, and even fashion, who redefined the very meaning of creation.

1. Ada Lovelace

Born Augusta Ada King (1815-1852), the Countess of Lovelace as she was later known after becoming the Earl of Lovelace, was born on December 10, 1815. She was a mathematician and writer, known for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine.

Lovelace, the daughter of the poet Lord Byron, displayed a keen interest in mathematics and logic from an early age. Her educational journey included private tutoring owing to her major health issues that kept her bedridden for most of her childhood.

Lovelace’s most notable invention is her pioneering work in creating the first computer program, making her the world’s first computer programmer. Published in 1843, her notes on Babbage’s machine included an algorithm for calculating Bernoulli numbers, marking a pivotal moment in the history of computing.

Lovelace’s insights into the potential of computers extended beyond mere calculation, envisioning them as capable of more than just mathematical tasks. Her visionary ideas laid the foundation for modern computer programming and artificial intelligence.

2. Marie Curie

Marie Skłodowska Curie (1867–1934), born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland, was a pioneering physicist and chemist. Despite facing gender barriers in education, Curie pursued higher learning and earned degrees in physics and mathematics.

In 1903, she became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, sharing it with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel for their work on radioactivity. In 1911, Curie secured her second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry, for her discovery of radium and polonium.

Her groundbreaking research not only expanded our understanding of atomic structure but also led to the development of X-ray technology. Curie’s invention of mobile radiography units, or “Little Curies,” during World War I revolutionized medical diagnostics on the battlefield, saving countless lives.

3. Adeline D. T. Whitney

Born in 1824, Adeline D. T. Whitney wasn’t your typical inventor. A prolific writer and poet, she penned over 20 books and poems before turning her creative eye to a different kind of masterpiece: the alphabet block.

In 1882, at the age of 58, Whitney patented her revolutionary set of wooden blocks, each adorned with a vibrant letter and meticulously proportioned to represent fractions of a straight line and circle.

What might seem like a simple plaything was, in fact, a game-changer for early childhood education. Unlike the static, single-letter blocks of the time, Whitney’s design encouraged active learning and discovery.

Today, Whitney’s invention sits proudly in the National Toy Hall of Fame. It graces classrooms, nurseries, and living rooms around the globe, silently shaping young minds just as it did 140 years ago.

4. Agnès Poulbot

Dr. Agnès Poulbot has a Ph.D. in applied mathematics and currently is the senior expert in 3D design simulation programs at Michelin. Born in France in the late 20th century, she honed her analytical skills through rigorous mathematical education, paving the way for her revolutionary contribution to the automotive world.

In her early years working at Michelin, Poulbot, together with Jacques Barraud, a veteran tire designer, invented the self-regenerating tire tread.

This ingenious design wasn’t a single layer, but a stack of progressively shallower treads stacked beneath the surface. As the outer layer wore down, a new one naturally replaced it, ensuring optimal grip and fuel efficiency throughout the tire’s lifespan.

This invention not only increased safety but also meant fewer tire changes, and reduced carbon emissions.

5. Alice Ball

Born in 1892 and tragically taken at the age of 24 in 1916, Alice Ball was a brilliant African American chemist whose story deserves to be shouted from the rooftops.

Facing racial and gender barriers at the University of Hawaii, she dedicated herself to finding a treatment for leprosy, a disease ostracized and misunderstood.

Chaulmoogra oil, extracted from a tropical tree, had long been known as a potential remedy, but its harshness caused vomiting and severe reactions.

Ball, through meticulous analysis and innovative processes, transformed this oil into a water-soluble solution, paving the way for the first injectable leprosy treatment.

Her “Ball Method” brought relief to countless patients, allowing them to return home from leper colonies and reclaim their lives.

6. Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stork

Imagine two young architects witnessing the devastating aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Witnessing families huddled in darkness, unable to find light amidst the chaos, Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stork, then students at Columbia University, were struck by a powerful idea.

They envisioned a portable, accessible light source that could bring immediate relief and hope to disaster-stricken communities. Thus, the LuminAID solar light was born. Born not just from their architectural expertise, but also from their deep empathy and desire for positive change.

The LuminAID is deceptively simple: a lightweight, inflatable lantern powered by the sun.

7. Ann Tsukamoto

Ann Tsukamoto, a California-born scientist born in 1952, wasn’t alone when she revolutionized the fight against cancer and other diseases. In the early 1990s, she worked alongside a research team at SyStemix, Inc.

Together, they achieved a groundbreaking feat: identifying and isolating human hematopoietic stem cells, the foundation of our blood system.

This seemingly small step unlocked a giant leap in medicine. Before Tsukamoto’s breakthrough, treating blood cancers like leukemia required bone marrow transplants, a risky and painful procedure.

Isolating stem cells, the lifeblood of blood formation, opened the door to targeted therapies. Stem cell transplants from umbilical cords or donor blood became possible, drastically increasing success rates and saving countless lives.

8. Barbara Askins

Joining NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in 1975, 1939-born Barbra Askins would revolutionize photography. At Nasa, she found herself surrounded by the wonders of space exploration.

However, one nagging challenge persisted: faint, underexposed photos from distant galaxies and murky X-rays back on Earth.

In 1978, Askins solved this issue, when she invented a method to enhance underexposed photographic negatives. This wasn’t your average tinkering in a basement lab.

She employed the magic of radioactive isotopes. By turning the silver in developed photos slightly radioactive, they could create a “shadow image” with astonishing detail – bringing out features previously lost in darkness.

The impact of her work, was astronomical, quite literally. NASA could now glean groundbreaking insights from previously blurry space photos, revealing breathtaking nebulae and distant galaxies with unprecedented clarity.

Doctors, too, found a game-changer. Askins’ technique enhanced X-rays, allowing for earlier diagnoses and reduced radiation exposure for patients.

9. Bette Nesmith Graham

Bette Nesmith Graham (1924-1980) wasn’t a scientist or an engineer, but a resourceful secretary with a paintbrush and a dream. Frustrated by constant erasing and retyping due to typos, she embarked on a creative journey in 1951.

Inspired by watching artists cover mistakes with paint, she experimented with homemade formulas, mixing tempera paint with various chemicals in her kitchen blender. The result? A revolutionary correction fluid she called “Mistake Out.”

This seemingly simple invention revolutionized the world of typing as well as her life as she became a millionaire thanks to her invention.

Graham’s ingenuity went beyond “Mistake Out.” She constantly improved the formula, making it faster drying and opaque.

She renamed it “Liquid Paper” in 1958, and her kitchen counter operation blossomed into a multi-million-dollar company. She even invented other office supplies, like correction tape and typewriter cleaning fluid.

10. Ella Gaillard

Ella Gaillard was a prolific 19th-century inventor who revolutionized sewing with her 1888 patent for the eyeless sewing needle. This needle had a slot cut in the tapered end instead of an eye, making it stronger and less likely to break or bend while in use.

The eyeless needle enabled much easier threading and was widely adopted by both home sewists and industrial manufacturers. Not to mention how efficient it was, so much so that surgeons use it to this day.

Gaillard secured patents for over two dozen inventions in her lifetime, including clever devices for umbrellas, life preservers, nursing bottles, and even a music box in 1885 that featured a portable fountain that spouted water while the music box was playing.

11. Catia Bastioli

Catia Bastioli, a brilliant Italian chemist born in 1961, isn’t your average inventor. Driven by a deep concern for the environment, she revolutionized the plastics industry with her creation of bio-plastics.

These innovative materials, derived from renewable resources like corn starch and vegetable oils, decompose naturally, unlike their persistent plastic counterparts. They are said to become soil in three to eight weeks.

12. Catherine Griswold

Catherine Griswold was a prolific 19th-century inventor who revolutionized women’s fashion with her 1899 patent for the skirt-supporting corset.

This innovative undergarment incorporated long strips of tempered steel to gracefully support then-fashionable voluminous skirts and offer tailored waist compression.

Griswold’s versatile support corset liberated Victorian-era women from heavy skirts and inefficient crinolines while setting a precedent in an era when functional foundations and fashionable silhouettes seemed mutually exclusive.

In addition to her iconic corset, Griswold secured thirty more patents in her life, all of which were apparel-related. This effectively made her the 1800s’ most prolific American female inventor.

13. Caresse Crosby

Born Mary Phelps Jacob in 1892, Caresse Crosby wasn’t your typical socialite. Her 1910 frustration with restrictive corsets sparked a revolution.

Armed with handkerchiefs and ribbon, she crafted the first modern bra, ditching the painful underwire for soft support.

This seemingly simple garment changed the world for women. Before the bra, they were confined by constrictive corsets, limiting their health, comfort, and freedom of movement.

Crosby’s invention offered liberation, allowing women to wear low-backed dresses, pursue active lifestyles, and experience new levels of comfort.

14. Beulah Louise Henry

Born in 1887, Beulah Louise Henry wasn’t your typical inventor. Armed with boundless curiosity and a knack for solving everyday problems, she became known as the “Lady Edison” for her prolific output of over 100 inventions, most patented throughout the 1920s and 30s.

Her first invention and patent was the vacuum ice cream freezer in 1912 while she was only a college student. While her inventions weren’t earth-shattering, their impact was undeniable.

Take the “Protograph,” a contraption that churned out five copies of a typed document without messy carbon paper.

Then there was the umbrella with interchangeable covers, allowing ladies to match their brolly to their outfit – a touch of flair amidst the gray of everyday life. Other inventions include the “Dolly Dips” soap-filled sponge for playful bath time, and the “Miss Illusion” doll with color-changing eyes, sparking children’s imaginations.

15. Edith Clarke

Edith Clarke was a trailblazer in the male-dominated field of electrical engineering. Born in 1883, she defied societal expectations at every turn, graduating with a B.S. in mathematics and physics from Cornell University in 1908.

Despite her qualifications, finding work as a woman engineer proved nearly impossible. Undeterred, she pursued a master’s degree in electrical engineering from MIT, graduating in 1912.

Clarke’s brilliance shone through during her time at General Electric, where In 1921, her ingenuity manifested in the form of the “Clarke calculator,” a groundbreaking graphical tool that revolutionized the field.

This ingenious contraption, essentially a slide rule for complex electrical equations, could solve problems involving voltage, current, and impedance ten times faster than traditional methods. It empowered engineers to analyze and optimize power transmission with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency.

The Clarke calculator was a game-changer, playing a pivotal role in expanding electrical grids across the nation, bringing light and power to millions.

So, who invented the first calculator?

16. El Dorado Jones

Born in 1860, Eldorado Jones wasn’t your typical inventor. A teacher turned insurance agent; she discovered her true calling by crafting ingenious solutions.

Nicknamed “Iron Woman” for her love of the material, she burst onto the scene in 1913 with a lightweight iron and collapsible hat rack combo, perfect for traveling women. But her greatest impact was yet to come.

In 1919, the burgeoning aviation industry faced a major hurdle: deafeningly loud engines. Enter Jones, with her revolutionary airplane engine muffler.

This seemingly simple device used acoustic baffles to quiet the roar without sacrificing power. Suddenly, air travel became more tolerable for passengers and less disruptive for communities below.

Jones was also a trailblazer in women’s rights, creating a company called Eldorado Inventions, Inc. The company supported women in that it did not employ any men instead employing women over the age of 40.

17. Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie

Monopoly reigns supreme in the realm of family game nights, with its iconic board, frantic trading, and inevitable bankruptcies. However, few know the fascinating story behind its origins, and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie is the remarkable woman who laid the groundwork for this financial frenzy.

Inspired by the economic theories of Henry George, who championed land value taxes, Magie envisioned a game that would illuminate the pitfalls of land monopolies and the benefits of fairer taxation systems.

In 1903, she patented “The Landlord’s Game,” a board game strikingly similar to the popular board game, Monopoly, we know today. Players traversed a square track, buying and developing properties, collecting rent, and facing financial consequences like taxes and jail.

18. Ellen Fitz

Ellen Eliza Fitz, born in 1835, was a curious mind trapped in the confines of 19th-century expectations. A governess by profession, she found her true calling in education, not through stuffy textbooks, but through the captivating sphere of geography.

Witnessing students struggle to grasp Earth’s rotation and seasons, Fitz, in 1875, birthed a revolutionary invention: The Globe Mount.

This wasn’t your standard, static globe stand. Fitz’s contraption boasted two vertical rings surrounding the globe, representing day and night.

As the globe rotated, these rings shifted, illustrating how sunlight danced across the planet, creating day and night, and changing with the seasons. It was a tangible demonstration of celestial mechanics, a miniature cosmos held in one’s hands.

19. Harriet Williams Russell Strong

Widowed young with four daughters Harriet Williams (1844-1926) defied expectations, transforming from socialite to agricultural pioneer in California. Faced with drought and financial ruin, she studied water conservation, ultimately inventing a revolutionary multi-dam system in 1887.

This ingenious design captured runoff during wet seasons, storing it in a series of smaller dams instead of one large one. This prevented disastrous floods while maximizing water availability for irrigation, transforming arid land into fertile farms.

Strong’s system, used in projects like the Hoover Dam and All-American Canal, secured water for millions, revolutionizing agriculture and urban development in the Western U.S.

Her impact wasn’t limited to dams; she also patented a water-saving plow, a device to raise and lower windows, a window sash holder, and a Hook and Eye among others.

20. Grace Hopper

Born in 1906, Grace Hopper, had a Yale Ph.D. in mathematics and was a decorated Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy. She brought unique perspectives to the world of early computing.

However, it was her work on Harvard’s Mark I computer that cemented her legacy as a revolutionary. The Mark I, a behemoth of gears and wires, churned out calculations vital to the war effort. However, programming it was a laborious task, requiring intricate rewiring for each new operation.

Hopper saw this inefficiency as a roadblock to wider adoption of computers. Enter the compiler, Hopper’s brainchild. This program acted as a translator, converting human-readable instructions into the machine code the Mark I understood.

The compiler laid the groundwork for modern programming languages, from COBOL to Python, shaping the digital landscape we inhabit today.

21. Giuliana Tesoro

Armed with a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Yale, Giuliana Tesoro (1921-2002) tackled mundane textile challenges and transformed them into groundbreaking advancements.

Her most lauded invention? Flame-retardant fibers.

Imagine fireproof uniforms for firefighters, child-proof bedding that snuffs out embers, and upholstery that won’t become a raging inferno. That’s the world Tesoro helped create.

22. Evelyn Berezin

Born in 1925, Evelyn Berezin wasn’t one to follow well-worn paths. A physics PhD holder in a time when tech belonged to men, she carved her own space. Her inventions weren’t flashy, but their impact? Monumental.

First, came the computerized airline booking system in 1961. Gone were slow, laborious phone calls – Berezin’s system, humming with transistors and fueled by her logic design prowess, connected terminals across 60 cities to a central computer, processing reservations in seconds.

In 1973, she birthed the Data Secretary, the first commercially available word processor. No more tedious retyping, no more white-out mishaps – this mechanical marvel lets you edit, store, and print documents with ease.

23. Esther Sans Takeuchi

Dr. Esther Sans Takeuchi born in Ohio in 1948, initially pursued a degree in biology before switching to chemistry, eventually earning a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Her brilliance soon landed her at Greatbatch, Inc., a leading manufacturer of pacemaker and ICD batteries.

It was here that Takeuchi’s true calling emerged: revolutionizing these life-saving devices. Prior to her work, pacemakers and ICDs were bulky and required frequent, risky surgeries to replace their short-lived batteries.

Takeuchi set out to create a battery that was not only smaller but also boasted a dramatically extended lifespan.

Through years of meticulous research and innovation, Takeuchi’s team birthed the lithium/silver vanadium oxide (Li/SVO) battery. This marvel of engineering packed five times the power of previous versions into a significantly smaller package.

24. Erna Schneider Hoover

Born in 1926, Erna Schneider Hoover was a graduate of Wellesley College and Yale University with degrees in philosophy and mathematics. She worked a Bell Labs where she revolutionized modern communication with a seemingly mundane concept: traffic control for phone calls.

Hoover realized that peak hours often overwhelmed phone systems, leaving frustrated customers with endless dial tones. So, she applied her knowledge of symbolic logic and feedback theory to the chaos.

Her 1971 invention, a computerized switching system, monitored call volume and prioritized connections, ensuring smooth operation even during surges. This seemingly simple innovation prevented overload, increased efficiency, and paved the way for the seamless call experience we enjoy today.

25. Emmy Noether

Born in Germany in 1882, Emmy Noether was a woman in a male-dominated field who faced countless hurdles before finally securing a position at the University of Göttingen in 1915.

In 1915, Noether unveiled a mathematical principle that forever changed our understanding of the universe.

She discovered the profound connection between symmetries and conservation laws, stating that every continuous symmetry in a physical system corresponds to a conserved quantity.

Imagine a ball rolling down a frictionless hill. Its momentum, the product of its mass and velocity, remains constant throughout its descent. This is because the system exhibits translational symmetry.

Einstein himself, a giant of science, declared Noether “the most important mathematician alive in Germany and probably the most creative now[then] alive.”

Her work revolutionized fields like general relativity and quantum mechanics, providing a powerful tool for understanding the universe’s hidden harmonies.

26. Hedy Lamarr

Behind the glamour of Hollywood screen siren Hedy Lamarr  (1914-2000) lay a brilliant and innovative mind. During World War II, concerned about the vulnerability of radio-controlled torpedoes to enemy jamming, Lamarr, together with composer George Antheil, developed the concept of frequency hopping.

This groundbreaking technology rapidly switched between radio frequencies, making it nearly impossible to intercept and disrupt the signal. While initially dismissed during World War II, the technology would become very useful during the Cuban missile crisis.

Frequency hopping became the foundation for secure communication systems used in today’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, dramatically changing the way we connect and navigate the world.

27. Helen Blanchard

Born into a Quaker family, Helen Blanchard embraced her independence and entrepreneurial spirit. Trained as a seamstress, she revolutionized garment production with her invention of the automatic stitch regulator.

This improved the sewing machine which was invented by Thomas Saint in 1790.

This device precisely controlled the length and tension of the thread, creating uniform stitches and significantly increasing sewing speed and efficiency. Blanchard’s invention not only streamlined garment production but also empowered women with greater control over their livelihoods.

With improved efficiency, small-scale dressmakers and home seamstresses could compete with larger manufacturers, paving the way for a more equitable garment industry.

Blanchard is also credited with the invention of several other tools including a pencil sharpener, a surgical needle, and a corset cord fastener.

28. Ida Hyde

Ida Hyde’s (1907-1995) dedication to understanding the inner workings of living organisms led her to invent the intracellular micropipette electrode in 1968.

This revolutionary tool allowed scientists to directly measure the electrical activity of individual cells for the first time. This opened up a new era in biological research, enabling scientists to investigate fundamental cellular processes, analyze the spread of electrical signals in the nervous system, and develop treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s.

Hyde’s invention provided a crucial window into the microscopic world, transforming our understanding of biology and paving the way for countless medical advancements. Her technology is still used in modern-day science laboratories and equipment.

29. Ida Forbes

Long before central heating became commonplace, Ida Forbes envisioned a safer and more efficient way to heat water within homes. Her electric hot water heater, patented in 1890, pioneered the concept of using electricity to heat water for domestic purposes. Prior to her invention, heaters relied on gas.

This invention not only eliminated the fire hazards associated with traditional methods but also offered greater control over water temperature and improved sanitation.

Forbes’s innovation paved the way for modern water heating systems, transforming the way we manage everyday tasks and making homes safer and more comfortable.

30. Hertha Ayrton

Born in 1854, Hertha Ayrton studied mathematics at Cambridge where she tackled practical problems beyond theoretical equations. Her first invention, the line divider, emerged in 1884.

This deceptively simple device, a precursor to modern drafting tools, allowed engineers and architects to effortlessly divide lines into any desired number of parts.

The line divider saved countless hours, improved accuracy, and democratized precision drafting, making it accessible to even novice practitioners.

31. Irène Joliot-Curie

Following in the footsteps of her legendary scientist parents, Irène Joliot-Curie (1897-1956) carved her own path in the scientific world. In 1934, alongside her husband Frédéric, she made a groundbreaking discovery: artificial radioactivity.

By bombarding elements with alpha particles, they created radioactive isotopes, expanding the study of radioactivity and paving the way for innovative applications in medicine, energy, and research.

This feat earned them the 1935 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, solidifying Irène’s place as a pioneer in nuclear science.

32. Jane ní Dhulchaointigh

Forget about messy, unreliable glues! Jane ní Dhulchaointigh, an Irish materials scientist born in 1973, brought us Sugru, a revolutionary moldable silicone rubber that sticks to almost anything.

Inspired by a leaky roof and frustrated by the limitations of existing adhesives, she developed this unique material at home in 2003. Sugru, meaning “play” in Gaelic, quickly gained popularity for its versatility, allowing for repairs, crafts, and DIY projects like never before.

From fixing electronics to creating prosthetic limbs, Sugru empowers users with boundless creative possibilities.

33. Jeanne L. Crews

Imagine hurtling through space, vulnerable to the deadly debris lurking in the cosmic vacuum. This is where Jeanne L. Crews (1926-2015), an American aerospace engineer comes in!

She envisioned a shield to protect spacecraft and astronauts from these perilous collisions. In the 1960s, she conceptualized the “meteoroid bumper,” a lightweight yet incredibly resilient structure designed to absorb impacts from micrometeoroids and meteoroid debris.

This ingenious invention became a vital component of NASA missions, safeguarding manned spacecraft like Apollo and Skylab, and continues to be employed in satellites and future space exploration endeavors.

34. Jeanne Villepreux-Power

First of all, what a name! This resourceful Frenchwoman who was born in 1820 and died in 1900, is credited with inventing the modern aquarium in the mid-1850s.

Inspired by her observations of marine life in glass containers, she developed a closed-loop system that mimicked natural aquatic environments, incorporating features like filtration, aeration, and temperature control.

This innovation sparked a passion for underwater ecosystems, making them accessible to the public and setting the stage for the thriving aquarium industry we know today.

Here are some other French inventors. 

35. Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Pulsars, rapidly spinning neutron stars, emit beams of radiation that sweep across space like cosmic lighthouses. In 1967, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a young British astronomer, stumbled upon these celestial wonders while analyzing radio telescope data.

Initially dismissed as “little men” by her supervisor, she persisted in her research, ultimately proving the existence of pulsars and opening a new window into the mysteries of the universe. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of stellar evolution and earned Burnell the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physics, a testament to her perseverance and scientific brilliance.

36. Josephine Cochrane

Born in 1839, Josephine Cochrane was a socialite tired of the tedious task of hand-washing dishes. In 1886, she revolutionized kitchens with her invention: the dishwasher.

Inspired by water-spraying mechanisms in ships, she built a rotating cage in a copper boiler, powered by a hand crank. Dishes, placed in wire compartments, were rinsed and scrubbed by soapy water jets.

Her invention initially mocked, gained acclaim at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, paving the way for modern dishwashing machines that liberated countless individuals from hours of drudgery, empowering them to pursue other activities.

37. Katharine Blodgett

Born in 1898, Katharine Blodgett was a physicist and chemist who, in 1935, co-invented a revolutionary non-reflective glass coating.

This thin layer of fatty acids, developed with Irving Langmuir, eliminated glare and reflections from glass surfaces, improving visibility for drivers, pilots, and scientists observing delicate experiments.

Blodgett’s invention led to safer vehicles, more accurate scientific measurements, and ultimately, the development of anti-reflective coatings used in everything from eyeglasses to camera lenses.

38. Joy Mangano

Born in 1956, Joy Mangano is a multi-millionaire and prolific inventor with over 100 patents to her name. Her most famous creations include the Miracle Mop, a self-wringing sponge mop that eliminated the need for messy bucket changes, and Forever Fragrant, a long-lasting potpourri dispenser that revolutionized home fragrance.

Mangano’s inventions, born from personal frustrations and keen observation, addressed everyday challenges with ingenious solutions, making her a household name and inspiring countless aspiring inventors.

39. Letitia Geer

Born in 1853, Letitia Geer was a nurse who witnessed the struggles of doctors and at times one-handed patients struggling to operate syringes. At the time, syringes were bulky and required two arms to operate.

In 1899, she invented the one-hand syringe, a self-locking device that could be easily operated with just one hand. This simple yet impactful invention improved patient care, allowing healthcare professionals to administer medication efficiently and reducing discomfort for patients with limited mobility.

Geer’s innovation continues to be used in hospitals and clinics today, a testament to her empathy and dedication to improving lives.

40. Lillian Gilbreth

Born in 1878, Lillian Gilbreth was an industrial engineer who, alongside her husband Frank, pioneered the field of time and motion studies. More so in everyday activities.

Together, they observed and analyzed everyday tasks to identify inefficiencies and develop solutions for improvement. In 1927, Lillian patented the foot pedal trash can, a simple yet ingenious invention that eliminated the need for bending or touching the lid, making waste disposal more hygienic and convenient.

This and other Gilbreth inventions like the adjustable kitchen sink faucet transformed household chores, saving time and energy for countless families.

41. Lynn Conway

Born in 1948, Lynn Conway is a pioneering computer scientist and transgender rights activist. At IBM in the 1960s, she faced discrimination due to her gender identity.

Despite these challenges, Conway made significant contributions to computer architecture, notably inventing dynamic instruction scheduling.

This technique dramatically improves processor performance by predicting which instructions will be needed next and pre-fetching them from memory, reducing wasted time and speeding up execution.

Today, dynamic instruction scheduling is a fundamental principle in modern processors, powering everything from smartphones to supercomputers.

42. Margaret E. Knight

Born in 1838, Margaret E. Knight was a prolific inventor who held over 80 patents in her lifetime. Her most famous invention, however, was the flat-bottomed paper bag.

Before Knight’s invention, paper bags were cumbersome and prone to falling apart. Knight’s design, with its square bottom and folded top, made paper bags easy to fill, carry, and store, revolutionizing grocery shopping and food packaging.

Additionally, Knight’s invention provided a source of income for thousands of women who worked in paper bag factories.

Margaret was interestingly, the first woman to receive a patent in America.

43. Margaret A. Wilcox

Born in 1890, Margaret A. Wilcox was a housewife and inventor who recognized the need for a practical car heater in the frigid Chicago winters. In 1903, at the age of 22, she designed and built a car heater that worked by circulating air over the engine to warm and into the car interior.

Though initially dismissed by car manufacturers, Wilcox persevered and eventually patented her invention in 1919. Her car heater paved the way for modern automotive heating systems, making driving more comfortable and safer in cold weather conditions.

44. Maria Goeppert-Mayer

Born in 1906, Maria Goeppert-Mayer was a theoretical physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the atomic nucleus.

In the 1940s, she independently developed the nuclear shell model, which proposes that protons and neutrons in the nucleus occupy distinct energy levels, similar to electrons in atoms.

This model explained the previously puzzling stability of certain nuclei and led to a surge of research in nuclear physics. Goeppert-Mayer’s work earned her the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physics, making her the second woman to win the prize in that category.

45. Maria Beasly

Born in 1842, Maria Beasly was a young African American woman who tragically lost her two young sons in a shipwreck off the coast of North Carolina in 1881. Determined to prevent similar tragedies, Beasly invented a self-righting, inflatable life raft.

Prior to her invention, the existing lifeboats were not effective in dire SOS situations. Her design featured a collapsible rubberized canvas raft with air chambers and watertight compartments, ensuring buoyancy and stability even in rough seas.

Although her invention was not widely adopted at the time, it paved the way for modern life raft designs and serves as a testament to Beasly’s ingenuity and resilience.

Her design is credited with helping many including the over 700 passengers who survived the Titanic’s sinking.

46. Maria Telkes

Born in Hungary in 1900, Maria Telkes was a pioneering solar energy researcher and inventor. She is one of the most inspiring Hungarian women.

Driven by a passion for sustainability, she dedicated her life to harnessing the sun’s power for practical applications.

Her most renowned invention is the thermoelectric power generator, a device that converts heat directly into electricity.

Telkes’s ingenious design utilized a sandwich-like structure with alternating layers of dissimilar metals and semiconductor materials. When exposed to temperature differences, these layers produce a voltage, generating electricity without moving parts or noisy combustion engines.

This technology proved revolutionary for remote locations and disaster relief efforts, providing a reliable source of power where conventional options were impractical.

Telkes’s thermoelectric generators powered lifesaving beacons in the Arctic, illuminated remote homes, and even heated greenhouses in harsh climates. Her invention paved the way for modern solar panels and continues to inspire sustainable energy solutions around the globe.

47. Marie Van Brittan Brown

Marie Van Brittan Brown, born in Jamaica in 1922, was a visionary inventor who transformed home security. Facing burglary threats while working as a nurse, she envisioned a system that would protect her property even when she was away.

In 1966, she created the world’s first home security system, a remarkable feat for a Black woman in a male-dominated field.

Brown’s ingenious system featured cameras, motion sensors, and an intercom linked to a closed-circuit television monitor. She even incorporated remote-controlled door locks and lights, all controlled from a central console.

This pioneering invention allowed her to monitor her home remotely, deterring criminals and providing peace of mind.

While initially met with skepticism, Brown’s home security system proved its worth, inspiring the development of modern security systems with similar features.

48. Marion Donovan

Marion Donovan, born in Ireland in 1897, was a practical inventor who addressed a common parental struggle – keeping babies dry and comfortable during outings. In 1931, she revolutionized childcare with her creation of the “boater” diaper cover, a waterproof garment worn over cloth diapers.

Donovan’s ingenious design featured a rubberized lining and adjustable straps, providing a snug and leak-proof fit. This simple yet effective solution freed parents from the constraints of bulky rubber pants and messy leaks, allowing them to take their children on adventures with greater ease and confidence.

The “boater” diaper cover, later marketed as the “Playtex Baby-Dri”, became a runaway success, selling over 200 million units within a decade.

Donovan’s invention not only simplified childcare but also paved the way for the development of disposable diapers, further liberating parents and transforming the diaper industry.

49. Marjorie Joyner

Marjorie Joyner, born in Chicago in 1896, was a Black entrepreneur and inventor who revolutionized haircare for Black women. Facing limited options for styling her own hair, she embarked on a journey of innovation, eventually creating the first successful electric hair straightener in 1926.

Joyner’s invention utilized heated metal combs to straighten and smooth curly hair, offering a safe and effective alternative to harsh chemical treatments.

The device, initially called the “Marcel Wave”, quickly gained popularity among Black women, allowing them to embrace their natural hair texture with greater ease and diversity.

In 1948, Joyner further expanded her haircare repertoire with the “Hair Wave Croquignole”, a heated curler table that created perfect, uniform curls.

50. Martha Coston

Martha Coston, born in Virginia in 1890, was a chemist and inventor who played a crucial role in ensuring maritime safety.

After the death of her husband, Martha uncovered the plan and concept of the marine signal flares. In 1926, Coston perfected a magnesium-based flare that burned twice as long and twice as brightly as existing flares.

This innovation significantly increased the visibility of distressed ships, giving them a better chance of being rescued. Coston’s flares were readily adopted by the U.S. Navy and merchant marine, saving countless lives.

51. Mary Anderson

In 1903, witnessing the driver struggle with poor visibility, Mary Anderson (1866-1953), envisioned a device to clear windshields without constantly having to exit the car.

Her invention – a spring-loaded arm with a rubber blade, controlled from inside the vehicle – became the first practical windshield wiper.

Despite initial rejection, Mary’s persistence led to widespread adoption, revolutionizing road safety and forever changing how we navigate rainy and snowy landscapes.

52. Mary A. Delaney

A lifelong dog lover, Mary A. Delaney (1936-2013) recognized the limitations of the fixed-length leash. In 1894, she patented the “retractable leash,” a mechanism that allowed dogs more freedom while ensuring their safety.

While the leash could lengthen for more freedom for the pet, it could also shorten at a moment’s notice preventing the dog from going to the wrong side of pedestrians or lamp posts.

Her invention, still widely used today, transformed dog-walking experiences, granting canines greater exploration while offering owners better control and peace of mind.

53. Mary Kenner

With over 400 patents to her name, Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was a prolific inventor who focused on improving everyday life.

Her iconic inventions include the sanitary toilet tissue holder in 1982 (replacing the unsanitary floor-mounted dispenser), the mounted back massager, and a detachable wheelchair tray attachment, showcasing her empathy for those with disabilities.

Mary’s inventions, most of which, were alongside her sisters, simplified daily tasks, enhanced hygiene, and improved accessibility, earning her the title “Queen of Household Ingenuity” and forever impacting domestic comfort and convenience

Mary came from a family of inventors and most of her inventions were collaborations. These include the toilet tissue holder which she designed alongside her sister Mildred Davidson.

54. Mary Lou Jepsen

A pioneer in the field of microdisplays, Mary Lou Jepsen (born 1951) co-founded MicroDisplay in 1995 with a revolutionary vision: high-resolution, miniaturized displays for a range of applications.

Her expertise in silicon chip technology led to the development of reflective microdisplays, paving the way for compact, lightweight screens used in medical devices, virtual reality headsets, personal computers, and even aircraft instrument panels.

Mary’s inventions not only transformed the capabilities of visual displays but also miniaturized technology, opening doors for a future brimming with immersive experiences and innovative applications.

55. Mary Sherman Morgan

Mary Sherman Morgan is a curious specimen, to say the least. She dropped out of university amid World War II to join a secret munitions factory during World War II. There she played a significant role in the development of ordinance technology and explosives to be used in the war.

After the war, she was hired at the Rocketdyne Division of North American Aviation, albeit without a degree, where she worked mostly on rocket propellants. It is crucial to note that at the time, she was the only woman out of the 900 engineers at the company!

She went on to create Hydyne, a biofuel derived from algae, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum. While Hydyne’s commercialization faced challenges, Mary’s pioneering work laid the groundwork for the biofuel revolution that continues to this day.

Having worked on secret and classified projects for most of her life, we might not have known about her efforts if it was not for her son, George Morgan. He wrote a book and a play on her life, telling her story and her contributions to science.

56. Mary Walton

Imagine trains billowing smoke, choking passengers, and shrouding landscapes in soot. Enter Mary Walton, a 22-year-old with a mind sharper than an engineer’s wrench.

In 1877, she invented the “spark deflector,” later known as the train chimney station. This deceptively simple device redirected smoke upwards and away from passengers, improving air quality and visibility.

Walton’s ingenuity not only revolutionized train travel but also paved the way for cleaner air in cities and the development of more efficient chimneys.

57. Melitta Bentz

Tired of bitter grounds ruining her morning cup of joe, Melitta Bentz (1873-1950), a resourceful homemaker, took matters into her own hands.

In 1908, she fashioned a coffee filter from her son’s schoolbook blotting paper and a tin hoop. This seemingly mundane invention, the paper coffee filter, transformed the coffee-drinking experience.

No longer plagued by gritty grounds, coffee lovers relished a cleaner, purer brew. Bentz’s simple innovation revolutionized the coffee industry, creating a multi-billion-dollar market and changing the way millions savor their daily cup.

Today, her company, known as the Melitta Group, continues to make coffee, filters, and coffee makers.

58. Nancy Johnson

Nancy Johnson (1827-1900), an African-American entrepreneur, invented the first commercially successful hand-cranked ice cream maker in 1843.

Her ingenious design allowed for continuous ice cream production, replacing laborious hand mixing and making the treat accessible to the masses. Johnson’s invention democratized ice cream, bringing joy and refreshment to countless families and fueling a thriving industry.

59. Olga D. Gonzalez-Sanabria

While others gazed at the stars, Puerto Rican-American engineer Olga D. Gonzalez-Sanabria saw a challenge: how to keep them lit. Olga was born and raised in Patillas, Puerto Rico.

Her work on NASA’s International Space Station focused on developing long-lasting, lightweight batteries that could withstand the harshness of space. In 1998, she led the team that created the nickel-hydrogen batteries crucial for powering the station’s life support systems and scientific experiments.

Gonzalez-Sanabria’s innovation not only ensured the success of the space station but also paved the way for future deep-space exploration, opening the door to further understanding our universe.

60. Patricia Bath

Imagine living in a world shrouded in darkness due to cataracts, then regaining your sight in a blink. This became a reality thanks to Patricia Bath, the first African-American woman ophthalmologist to complete a residency in the United States.

In 1986, she invented the Laserphaco Probe, a device that uses lasers to remove cataracts, making the surgery faster, less invasive, and more precise. Bath’s invention revolutionized cataract surgery, restoring sight to millions and significantly reducing recovery times.

Her dedication to improving eye care for vulnerable communities, particularly people of color, cemented her legacy as a true visionary in the field of medicine.

61. Patsy O’Connell Sherman

Patsy O’Connell Sherman (1930-2008) was an American chemist who, along with Samuel Smith, co-invented Scotchgard, a groundbreaking waterproofing and stain-resistant polymer.

Introduced in 1956, Scotchgard revolutionized the textile industry by providing fabrics with remarkable resistance to liquids and stains, offering durable protection for a wide range of materials from clothing to carpets.

Sherman’s invention had a profound impact on daily life, making textiles more resilient and easier to maintain.

62. Rachel Zimmerman

Rachel Zimmerman born in 1972, was a child prodigy in the computing world. At just 12 years of age, she hanged the world!

Rachel is known for developing software that empowers individuals with speech disabilities. Her innovative software enables nonverbal communication using symbols displayed on a touchpad, providing a voice for those who face challenges expressing themselves verbally.

Zimmerman’s invention has had a transformative effect on the lives of many, fostering inclusivity and enhancing communication possibilities for individuals with speech impairments.

63. Radia Perlman

Radia Perlman (1951-present) is a computer scientist renowned for her invention of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), a fundamental algorithm for network bridge redundancy.

STP plays a crucial role in preventing loops and ensuring the stability of Ethernet networks. Perlman’s work laid the foundation for robust and scalable network infrastructure, contributing significantly to the development of modern computer networking and the Internet.

64. Rita Levi-Montalcini

Rita Levi-Montalcini, an Italian neuroscientist, and sientist, made an indelible mark on medical science by isolating and identifying nerve growth factor (NGF). Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986, her groundbreaking discovery revolutionized our understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms in the nervous system.

Levi-Montalcini’s work has had profound implications for neuroscience and the development of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Rita made this groundbreaking discovery in her final years as a research fellow under Professor Viktor Hamburger at Washington University in St. Louis.

65. Roberta Williams

Roberta Williams is a pioneering figure in the world of video game development, co-founding Sierra On-Line with her husband. She is best known for creating the graphic adventure game King’s Quest, released in 1984.

King’s Quest was a revolutionary title, introducing stunning graphics and a narrative-driven gaming experience. The game went on to get a total of eight sequels, a testament as to how innovative it was.

Williams’ innovative contributions to the gaming industry set the stage for the development of narrative-driven, visually captivating video games, influencing the trajectory of interactive entertainment.

66. Ruth Graves Wakefield

An entrepreneur turned inventor; Ruth Graves Wakefield (1903-1977) changed the world one delicious bite at a time. In 1938, while experimenting with a butterscotch cookie recipe for her restaurant- the Toll House Inn, she stumbled upon the now-iconic chocolate chip cookie.

Instead of melting, the chopped Nestlé chocolate bar pieces remained melty pockets of goodness, birthing a sensation.

Her “Toll House Cookies” recipe, named after the inn she ran with her husband, became a household staple, inspiring countless variations and igniting a global love affair with warm, gooey cookies.

Wakefield’s genius not only revolutionized home baking but also boosted Nestlé’s chocolate sales, forever altering the landscape of both food and commerce.

67. Ruth Handler

While often criticized for its unrealistic beauty standards, the Barbie doll, brainchild of Ruth Handler (1916-2002), undeniably impacted the world of toys and beyond.

Inspired by her daughter Barbara’s play with paper dolls, Handler, a sculptor and businesswoman, designed a 3D doll in 1959 that broke away from the traditional babyish figures.

Barbie, a teenage fashion model with endless career options, challenged gender stereotypes and opened up a world of possibilities for young girls. Despite controversies, Barbie’s cultural influence is undeniable, shaping fashion trends, sparking conversations about feminism and body image, and inspiring countless careers in design, marketing, and entertainment.

68. Sally Fox

Born in 1948, Sally Fox wasn’t content with the toxic dyes polluting the textile industry. A chemist by training, she embarked on a revolutionary quest: creating colored cotton without harming the environment.

After 13 years of tireless research, her 1991 breakthrough arrived – Colorganic cotton. Grown with naturally occurring pigments, it eliminated the need for harsh chemicals, saving millions of gallons of water and protecting soil health.

The various breeds of this colored cotton were patented as FoxFibre. This eco-friendly innovation wasn’t just a win for sustainable fashion, but a game-changer for cotton-growing communities, reducing their exposure to hazardous chemicals and preserving livelihoods.

Colorganic cotton continues to blossom, weaving a greener future for one of the world’s most beloved fabrics.

69. Sarah Breedlove (Madam C. J. Walker)

Born into poverty in 1867, Sarah Breedlove, later known as Madam C. J. Walker, defied every barrier. Determined to address the hair care needs of African American women, she honed her own scalp-soothing remedies and styling techniques.

In 1905, armed with her entrepreneurial spirit and homemade products, she launched her business. Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower and her innovative comb designed for textured hair empowered women to embrace their natural beauty.

Her empire flourished, making her the first self-made female millionaire in America. More than just hair products, Walker’s legacy lies in her economic empowerment of countless women, proving that beauty extends beyond appearances, reaching into the realms of financial independence and self-expression.

70. Sarah Boone

Born in 1832, Sarah Boone understood the frustrations of ironing. Sleeves, with their awkward curves and hidden seams, posed a constant challenge.

In 1858, her ingenuity struck. She patented the first ironing board specifically designed for sleeves, featuring a rounded end and padded surface that mimicked the arm’s shape.

This seemingly simple invention revolutionized domestic labor, saving countless hours and frustration for generations of ironers. Boone’s sleeve board wasn’t just about perfecting crisp cuffs; it represented a step towards ergonomic solutions and the recognition of the value of women’s time and comfort within the home.

Her innovation continues to inspire design for household essentials, reminding us that even the smallest improvements can make a world of difference in everyday life.

71. Sarah E. Goode

Born into a formerly enslaved family in 1855, Sarah Goode became one of the first Black women to receive a U.S. patent in 1885. Her invention, the cabinet bed, transformed cramped urban living.

This multi-functional furniture piece is folded from a bed into a roll-top desk, maximizing space and offering both sleeping and working areas in one piece.

Goode’s invention was especially impactful for working-class families in crowded tenements, allowing them to efficiently utilize limited space and improve their quality of life.

72. Sarah Mather

A self-taught engineer and inventor, Sarah Mather (1824-1895) revolutionized underwater exploration with her invention of the submarine telescope in 1845.

The telescope itself was invented in the 17th century by Dutch optician Hans Lippershey.

This pioneering device, essentially a periscope, allowed submariners to see above the waterline while submerged, dramatically enhancing navigation and safety.

Mather’s invention transformed submarine warfare, enabling naval forces to navigate underwater in a more strategic and informed manner. She later patented several other marine inventions, solidifying her legacy as a trailblazer in nautical technology.

73. Stephanie Kwolek

Stephanie Kwolek (1923-2014), while working at DuPont, accidentally discovered Kevlar in 1964. This remarkable material, five times stronger than steel, is renowned for its lightweight, heat-resistant, and bulletproof properties.

Kevlar’s impact reaches far beyond military applications. It protects firefighters, police officers, and construction workers, saving countless lives.

It revolutionized the aerospace industry, making aircraft lighter and safer. Kevlar even finds its way into everyday items like tires, boat sails, and sporting equipment, enhancing safety and performance across diverse fields.

74. Susan Kare

Susan Kare, an influential graphic designer, played a crucial role in shaping the visual language of the personal computer in its early days.

From 1982 to 1986, she worked alongside Steve Jobs and designed the iconic icons, fonts, and interfaces for Apple’s Macintosh, making computing more user-friendly and visually appealing. Her work humanized technology, paving the way for intuitive interfaces and shaping the visual language of countless software programs we use today.

Kare’s designs not only democratized access to technology but also made it aesthetically delightful, influencing generations of designers and shaping the digital landscape we know today.

75. Tabitha Babbitt

While the invention of the circular saw is often attributed to her husband, Tabitha Babbitt’s role in its development should not be overlooked.

In 1812, she observed her husband struggling with a cumbersome two-man saw and came up with the idea of attaching the blade to a rotating arbor, creating the foundation for the circular saw we recognize today.

This innovation revolutionized timber cutting, increasing efficiency and productivity dramatically. It transformed industries like construction, shipbuilding, and furniture making, influencing advancements in other machinery and shaping the tools used in countless trades today.

76. Temple Grandin

Born in 1947, Temple Grandin is an American scientist, author, and autism advocate renowned for her revolutionary work in animal welfare.

Despite facing challenges due to her autism, Grandin went on to achieve a Ph.D. in animal behavior and revolutionize the slaughterhouse industry with her center-track cattle restraint system.

This innovative system replaced the chaotic and stressful chutes with a calm, enclosed walkway that gently guided animals toward processing.

The design incorporated elements of cattle behavior, like a solid floor and limited overhead visibility, to minimize fear and pain.

Grandin’s invention resulted in a dramatic decrease in stress and injuries for both animals and workers. It also improved meat quality and efficiency, setting a new standard for humane animal handling that is now employed worldwide.

Her contributions extend beyond the slaughterhouse, as she continues to advocate for animal welfare through research, education, and consultancy.

77. Alice H. Parker

In 1891, Alice H. Parker, a young African American inventor, revolutionized home heating with her patented gas furnace. Before her invention, homes relied on coal or wood-burning stoves, which were inefficient, messy, and dangerous.

Parker’s gas furnace, however, offered a cleaner, safer, and more controllable heating source. Her design used natural gas piped into the home and ignited by a pilot light, providing consistent and adjustable heat without the need for constant tending.

This innovative system not only improved comfort and convenience but also reduced fire hazards and air pollution.

Parker’s invention faced initial skepticism due to racial prejudice and a lack of understanding of gas technology. However, its undeniable benefits led to widespread adoption, transforming home heating and paving the way for modern gas appliances.

78. Joyce Chen

Born in Chengdu, China, in 1940, Joyce Chen was not just a master chef, but a culinary pioneer who brought the joy of stir-frying to countless American kitchens.

While working as a food consultant in the 1970s, she noticed a critical gap: Western cookware just wasn’t suited for the fast, high-heat cooking of stir-fry.

So, Chen went back to her roots and spearheaded the design of the now-iconic Joyce Chen stir-fry pan. Unlike the flat-bottomed skillets prevalent at the time, her pan featured a rounded bottom that distributed heat evenly, allowing for quick searing and minimal sticking.

The lightweight construction and long, angled handle also facilitated agile tossing and precise control – two essential elements of stir-frying.

Chen’s pan wasn’t just a cooking tool; it was a gateway to a whole new culinary universe. Her popular cookbooks, cooking demonstrations, and television appearances demystified stir-frying for home cooks, introducing them to a healthy, flavorful, and versatile cooking method.

Her pan design, with its simple brilliance, became the industry standard, forever transforming how stir-fry is prepared and enjoyed around the world.

79. Nzambi Matee

Nzambi Matte, founder of Gjenge Makers, is a Kenyan entrepreneur and inventor, credited with the invention of plastic bricks made completely from recycled plastic.

Her invention has helped to solve several issues in Kenya and beyond, for those who adopt her technique and products. Some of these issues include; the increasing plastic waste and shortage of affordable housing materials.

The materials used to make these bricks are plastics (obviously) and sand. The product has been described as strong, durable, and cheaper than alternatives. 

80. Esther Gacicio

Kenyan innovator Esther Gacicio has empowered working mothers with her ingenious “mobile breastfeeding kit,” a portable device that simplifies on-the-go nursing.

Her invention not only enhances convenience but also bolsters infant health through increased breastfeeding rates and optimal nutrient intake.

A simple yet groundbreaking invention, Esther Gacicio’s mobile breastfeeding kit, is transforming lives in Kenya. This affordable device, easily attached to any clothing, enables mothers to seamlessly nurse their babies while juggling daily tasks.

While the list is undeniably long, it is crucial to note that it is in no way exhaustive and there were many left out. This is in no way to lessen their inventions but a testament as to just how influential and diverse the contributions of women in modern civilization as we know it have been.