WHM 2026 Historical

(NIHF) Katharine Burr Blodgett (1898-1979) was a physicist and chemist who invented the process of producing non-reflective glass.  Illustration of Blodgett’s low reflective glass patent In 1918, she became the first woman scientist at General Electric (GE) Research Laboratory in Schenectady, New York. She later became the firstMore

(U.S. Air Force) Gladys West (1930-2026) was a skilled mathematician who was a key, yet “hidden figure” in the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS).   Born and raised in Virginia during the Jim Crow era, she found education to be of the utmost importance to improving her life. In an interview with Virginia Currents/VPM,…

(USPTO) Josephine Cochrane (1839-1913) was the inventor of the precursor to the modern dishwasher. Frustrated by the common problem of dishes chipping while hand-washing, she decided to create a solution.  Illustration of Cochrane’s dish washing machine patent Her machine featured a spinning wheel with wire compartments holding dishes in place, andMore

Illustration of Tracy’s safety device for elevators patent. Harriet Tracy (1834-1918) was a famous 19th-century inventor who garnered over 27 patents. Her first invention was an improved crib attachment for bedsteads, which was followed by six patents for safety elevators and 17 for sewing machines. One of her best known inventions was the “Tracy GravityMore

(Lemelson-MIT) In 19th-century New York City, boarding house owner Mary Walton applied her mechanical engineering knowledge to address pollution caused by Manhattan’s rail system, resulting in vast improvements to the quality of life and health for her guests and fellow New York City dwellers. Illustration of Walton’s patent for locomotives and otherMore

(Boston Sunday Post, March 31, 1912. Courtesy:  Newspaper Archives.) Margaret Knight (1838-1914) began her journey with invention at the age of 12 while working at a cotton mill. Illustration of Knight’s patent for the Paper Bag Machine. She created a device to prevent workers from experiencing accidents due to dangerous conditions.  At the time, sheMore