Insights
Top 5 Favorite Inventions by Women
March 29, 2013
March 29, 2013
Women have contributed much to invention and innovation throughout history, creating essential and lifesaving products like Kevlar, medical syringes, and numerous lifesaving drugs – not to mention advancements in engineering, computer science, space travel and so much more. In recognition of National Women’s History Month (themed Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination), I would like to recognize five women whose inventions improve my life every day in conveniently significant ways.
Josephine Cochrane – Dishwasher
Even with a dishwasher, dirty dishes seem to pile up faster than reason permits. Roughly 88% of all new homes built in the US have a dishwasher (allianceforwaterefficiency.org), so most American’s seem to really appreciate Josephine’s time saving contribution to their daily chores.
Mary Anderson - Windshield Wipers
For us Seattleites, Mary’s invention comes in very handy during the 155 days of average rainfall we have per year.
Rose Totino – Frozen Pizza
From standard cheese and pepperoni to fancy Mediterranean with artichoke hearts, frozen pizza has become a huge industry. More than 700 million frozen pizzas are sold each year, with annual sales topping 2 billion (AIB International), I think we can all agree that Rose’s invention has been a great success.
Melitta Bentz – Drip Coffee Filter
Anyone who is a coffee drinker can tell you how unpleasant it is to get to the end of a coffee only to gulp down the grind filled dregs at the bottom of the cup. This experience is a rarity because for millions of people every morning, their coffee is filtered through a cone of paper that Melitta invented, which prevents the bitter grounds ending in your cup.
Florence Parpart – Refrigerator
Without Florence’s invention we would have to go back to a time where daily house deliveries of ice we needed to “power” the refrigerator. Either that, or do without most of your favorite foods.
The inventions listed are just a few of my personal favorite inventions. Tell us your favorite invention on Twitter and Facebook. Which women inventors make your list?