Throughout my life I have been amazed by women‘s contributions to society albeit their lack of recognition for them in many cases. Here are some surprising and familiar inventions by women that have changed history.
We might as well start with computers. Grace Hopper and Howard Aiken were instrumental in designing the first five ton room sized machine in 1944 for Harvard. The Mark 1 was its name. Hopper also invented the compiler which translated written language into computer code. In 1959 she was part of a team that developed one of the first modern programming languages called COBOL.
Then there is the combination submarine telescope and lamp invented by Sarah Mather and patented in 1845.
In 1886 Josephine Cochrane patented the first dishwasher, a combination of high water pressure, a wheel, a boiler and a wire rack.
Next time you are cleaning your car windshield with its windshield wipers, remember two women, Mary Anderson inventor of the first manual windshield wipers in 1903 and Charlotte Bridgewood the automatic version with an electric roller in 1917. To see other amazing inventions by women look at #2 and #3 on this website.
