The innovative work of female inventors has long been overlooked. Although their work may be lesser known, the significance of their genius has shaped the way we live today.
Check out these everyday inventions created by women that have changed the world.
The Fire Escape
Invented by Anna Connely in 1887, her patent for the fire escape transformed building safety and firefighting accessibility, leading to the first building codes in New York City. Her design mandated the inclusion of a cost-effective secondary escape route that enabled faster evacuation and enhanced safety by providing platforms between levels to prevent people from falling.
Beer
Imagine a world without beer—hard to picture, right? While women didn’t invent beer itself, they were the driving force behind brewing in ancient Sumeria and Mesopotamia. Back then, brewing beer was part of women’s daily duties, and many cultures even credited goddesses with its creation. So, the next time you raise a glass, remember the women who helped shape this timeless beverage.
Wireless Transmission Technology
Hedy Lamarr was the genius behind the invention of the frequency-hopping communications system used in 1941 during WWII, which laid the foundations for the development of the modern-day technological essentials that we use today like GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Her groundbreaking contributions earned her the Electronic Frontier Foundation Pioneer Award in 1997, and in 2014, she was finally inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Science Fiction
You can thank Mary Shelley, the legendary author of Frankenstein (The Modern Prometheus), for the birth of science fiction in 1818. Shelley’s inimitable imagination single-handedly created a new genre that has remained popular for over 200 years.
Waterproof Weather Protector
Next time you’re saved from the rain by your waterproof jacket, don’t forget to thank Patsy O’Connell Sherman and Sam Smith, who developed Scotchgard, an insoluble polymer that is both stain and waterproof.
Coffee Filter
Ever had coffee with gritty grounds at the bottom? Annoying, isn’t it? Thanks to Melitta Bentz, we don’t have to deal with that anymore. In 1908, she invented the paper coffee filter using blotting paper, making coffee smoother and more enjoyable. Her genius creation turned a daily ritual into a much more pleasant experience for millions of coffee lovers.
Chocolate Chip Cookie
This delicious invention certainly should be an everyday essential as far as we are concerned! Ruth Wakefield, the mind behind this iconic dessert, stumbled upon its creation by sheer accident. While baking a batch of cookies, she used broken pieces of Nestle chocolate instead of the typical baking chocolate. To her surprise, the chocolate did not fully melt, forming delectable pockets of gooey goodness within the cookie dough. This serendipitous mistake gave birth to the classic we know and love today.
Birth Control Pill
Millionaire philanthropist and groundbreaking biologist Katherine McCormick is the woman behind the revolutionary birth control pill. Her extensive research and funding of the project led to the pill’s development, which initiated a sociomedical transformation and liberation for millions of women worldwide.
The Bra
It’s not much of a surprise that a woman invented the bra but this genius invention has since become an everyday essential for millions of women. Caresse Crosby invented the modern bra in 1910 to address the horrible discomfort of traditional corsets. Crosby received her patent in 1914, revolutionizing women’s comfort and creating an indispensable item for women around the world.
Central Heating
Although her original design was never used, in 1919, Alice Parker created the first-ever central heating design to use natural gas rather than wood. Parker developed a groundbreaking type of gas furnace that used ducts to direct warm air all around the house, with multiple burners that allowed for varying temperatures.
Computer Software
A pioneering figure in computer programming in the 1950s, Rear Admiral Grace Hopper revolutionized programming thanks to her invention of the compiler and significant contributions to the Mark 1 computer while with the US Navy. At the age of 79, she even earned the name Amazing Grace as the oldest serving naval officer.
Caller ID and Call Waiting
In the 1970s, Dr. Jackson pioneered the development of Caller ID and Call Waiting, transforming the way we communicate. An American theoretical physicist and the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she revolutionized and helped lay the groundwork for later inventions of portable faxes, solar cells, and fiber optic cables.
Q-tips
If you’ve ever used a Q-tip, you have Ziuta Gerstenzang to thank. She came up with the idea after wrapping cotton around a toothpick to clean her baby’s ears. Her husband, Leo, turned her idea into the Q-tip we know today. It’s a perfect example of how simple ideas can become essentials we use every day.
The Windscreen Wiper
The humble windscreen wiper was created by Mary Anderson in 1903 as a solution for drivers to clear snow, rain, and debris from their windshields without having to open the window, to save heat and improve the comfort and safety of the passengers. Anderson was awarded the patent for her design but sadly never profited from her invention as car companies initially believed it would distract drivers from the road and were only made a standard on cars later on.
Home Security System
Marie Van Brittan Brown developed the home security system back in the 1960s. As a nurse who was often home alone, she developed the revolutionary system, along with her husband, Albert, in response to rising crime rates and poor police responses.
Kevlar (Bullet-Proof Fiber)
Stephanie Kwolek, the groundbreaking chemist, discovered this life-saving, heat-resistant material in 1965. Kevlar is a lightweight fiber that is five times stronger than steel. Now used in bulletproof vests and body armor, it has saved countless lives and can be found in numerous everyday items, from household gloves and mobile phones to airplanes and suspension bridges.
Pizza Saver
Ever opened a pizza box and found the cheese stuck to the lid? Carmela Vitale solved that frustrating problem in 1985 when she invented the pizza saver—a tiny plastic tripod that keeps the box lid from ruining your meal. It’s such a simple fix, yet we all rely on it whenever we order pizza.
Dishwasher
A revolutionary time-saving device, Josephine Cochrane patented her design and even opened her own production factory in 1886 with the first automatic dishwasher.
Solar Energy Systems
Maria Telkes had a vision for a cleaner, greener future. In 1947, she developed the first solar-heated home system, showing that sunlight could warm our homes in a practical way. Her work paved the way for modern renewable energy systems, proving that innovation can start with simple ideas and big dreams.
One-Handed Medical Syringe
Ever think about how much easier modern medicine is today? Letitia Geer is certainly one of the figures to thank for it. In 1899, she created a syringe that could be used with one hand, making it faster and simpler for doctors and nurses to give life-saving injections. Her invention is now a medical must-have, helping millions every day.
The Unsung Genius of Women’s Creations
It’s amazing to think how many everyday essentials we owe to the ingenuity of women. Their inventions have quietly shaped the way we live. Yet, so many of these contributions are overlooked or forgotten in history. These stories remind us that brilliance isn’t bound by gender—it’s about seeing a problem and daring to solve it.
So, the next time you enjoy a hot coffee, a safe drive, or a cozy home, take a moment to appreciate the incredible women who made it all possible. Their creativity and determination are proof that small ideas can have a big impact—and the world is better for it.
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