Notes

Nancy Johnson (1794-1890)
Nancy Johnson invented a machine that could scrape ice from the container walls using hand-cranked blades. This made it easier and faster for anyone to make ice cream. Before her invention, ice cream was a luxury only for the upper class.


Grace Hopper (1906-1992)
Grace Hopper ranks among the top American computer programming pioneers of all time She was a computer scientist and a United States Navy rear admiral. She developed an interest in computer science when programs still used numerical code. Hopper innovated the first computer language compiler in 1952. She also co-invented the COBOL computer language, which is the first universal programming language. ]

Numerical code A code whose target alphabet contains only digits and/or strings of digits, e.g. a binary code.

Patricia Era Bath (1942-2019)
Patricia Bath is the first African-American woman to receive a patent for medical innovation as an ophthalmologist. In 1981, she invented and received a patent for a medical device called a Laserphaco probe.
The medical device uses a laser to dissolve cataracts in the eye quickly and painlessly. It then sprays and cleans the eye, which makes inserting a replacement lens much more effortless.
The Laserphaco probe is now an internationally safe way to remove cataracts (MEDICAL CONDITION THAT CAUSES BLURRYNESS IN THE EYE) that could cause blindness.

Ruth Handler (1916-2002)
With her husband Eliot, Ruth Handler founded Mattel, the world’s largest toy company. In 1959, Ruth invented and introduced the Barbara Millicent Roberts “Barbie” doll.
Barbie is an icon with an ever-changing wardrobe and career. Handler had noted the limitations of the paper doll as her daughter made imaginary figures of adult women. The doll represents women’s changing dreams and aspirations. Barbie has been almost everything, from a computer engineer to a rock star to an astronaut. Parents can now inspire their kids’ careers with Barbie dolls, thanks to Ruth Handler’s life-changing invention.


Kevlar, a material used in bulletproof vests, was invented by Stephanie Kwolek in 1965. You might also be interested to note your car windshield wiper is an invention by Mary Anderson from 1903.
Josephine Cochrane created the dishwasher in 1886. Lillian Moller Gilbreth had dozens of inventions, including shelving for refrigerators and the foot pedal dustbin.