WoW Blog

This is the fourth in a multi-part series about women inventors. Each week, a group of women will be featured along with their inventions. If you'd like to know more about a specific inventor, please post a comment and let us know. We'll try to write follow-up feature articles for those women inventors who generate the most interest. You can read part one here, part two here, and part three here.

Liquid Paper (Wite-Out) - Bessie Nesmith Graham invented Liquid Paper, a quick-drying, paper-colored (white) liquid. She was a secretary in Texas, USA, before the time of word processors. Graham began selling her vastly popular invention and went on to run the very successful Liquid Paper company. Her son, Michael Nesmith, was a member of the rock group the Monkees.

ROOMBA (Robotic Floor Vaccum) - Helen Greiner invented the Roomba in 2002. Since then Roomba has been selling actively and won the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. It was chosen as one of Oprah's "favorite things" and was featured at the VH1 Diva Awards Show party, where celebrities wore "real divas don't vacuum" T-shirts.

Microelectrode - Ida Henrietta Hyde was an American physiologist who invented the microelectrode in the 1930's. A microelectrode is a small device that electrically (or chemically) stimulates a living cell and records the electrical activity within that cell.

Cast Cooler – Tenth grader Krysta Morlan's first invention was a device that relieves the irritation caused by wearing a cast.

Improved Hairbrush – Lydia Newman, an African American woman patented an improved hairbrush that was durable, easy to keep clean, and easy to make.

Improved Pantyhose - Julie Newmar, best known for her portrayal of Cat Woman, patented an ultra-sheer, ultra-snug pantyhose.

Optical System for Detecting Imperfections in Repeating Patterns – Ellen Ochoa's invention patented in 1987, can be used for quality control in the manufacturing of various intricate parts. Dr. Ellen Ochoa later patented an optical system which can be used to robotically manufacture goods or in robotic guiding systems.

Improved Gas Heating Furnace – Alice Parker invented an improved gas heating furnace that provided central heating in 1919.

Intravenous Catheter Shield – Betty Rozier and her mother Lisa Vallino patented an intravenous catheter shield to make the use of IVs in hospitals safer and easier.

Scotchguard – While working on fluorchemical polymers at 3M, Patsy Sherman developed a whole array of products known as Scotchguard.