Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton are the names that come to our mind whenever we talk about science geniuses. Well, most of the great discoveries and inventions are credited to men but it doesn’t mean women have lagged. There are many women who invented incredible and mind-blowing technologies and have made significant scientific discoveries that the world should know about.
On this Women’s Day, this is the perfect time to recall those unbelievable inventions by women and give them a credit for their accomplishments.
DNA Structure – Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Franklin was an amazing woman who made some incredible yet unbelievable research and boggled people’s mind with her intelligence, be it DNA, RNA, coal, viruses, and graphite. This British molecular biologist did shine for her mind-blowing work on coal and viruses. However, her contribution to the discovery of the structure of DNA received recognition only after her death.
As Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins and James Watson won the Nobel Prize, most of the people only know these three names behind the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA. However, Rosalind Franklin was the one who contributed the vital image data to the project and played a major role in understanding of the molecular structures of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Indeed, this amazing woman should be a Nobel Prize Winner but unfortunately Nobel doesn’t allow posthumous awards. Very sad!
Torpedoes Radio Guidance Device – Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-American Hollywood actress who developed a wireless transmission for Allied torpedoes. She developed this radio guidance system along with George Antheil. It used spread spectrum and frequency hopping technology to combat the perils of network jamming by the Axis powers.
As the principles of the invention were incorporated into CDMA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, US Navy hesitated to adopt the technology until the 1960s. Moreover, this mind-blowing wireless transmission invention led their introduction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014.
COBOL – Dr. Grace Murray Hopper
Dr. Grace Murray Hopper was an extraordinary woman who was an American computer scientist as well as United States Navy rear admiral. Moreover, she was the first woman who invented the COBOL -a computer programming language designed for business use.
Dr. Grace Murray Hopper was the first person who used the term “Bug” to define the malfunction in computers.
The Computer Algorithm – Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace was an English mathematician and writer, who translated the memoir of Italian mathematician Luigi Menabrea (Analytical Engine). She was the first person that realized and identified that computers had applications beyond pure calculation. She also published the first algorithm for which she was known as the first person who recognized the full potential of a “computing machine” and the first computer programmer.
Hot Comb – Annie Malone
It was an amazing idea for women who have curly hair and have a desire to get straighten hair. The hot comb was invented in France for the first time. Well, Annie Malone was the first person who patented hot comb in the list of patentees of designs as being granted Patent No. 60,962 for “sealing tape”.
Airplane Mufflers – El Dorado Jones
El Dorado Jones was a powerful woman and is best known for inventing the light-weight electric iron, travel size iron board, and airplane mufflers in 1919. She always believed in women power that’s the reason she has woman employees over the age of 40. El Dorado Jones also nicknamed the “Iron Women” that well suited her personality.
CCTV- Marie Van Brittan
Marie Van Brittan Brown developed closed-circuit television system to monitor home security with her husband Albert Brown in 1966. The security system was as advanced as we use nowadays for the surveillance in home and shops. Like today’s security CCTV camera, it had a set of four peep-holes and a camera that could slide up, down, right, left to look at everything.
Also Read: 7 Best Apps for Women Safety and Security
House Solar Heating – Maria Telkes
Maria Telkes was a Hungarian-American scientist and inventor who worked on solar energy research from 1939 to 1953, at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Together with American architect Eleanor Raymond, Maria Telkes created the 1st thermoelectric power generator for the Dover Sun House, which was the first house that was powered by solar energy in the year 1947. Maria also invented the 1st first thermoelectric refrigerator with the reference of semiconductor thermoelectricity in 1953.
There are a lot of other women who devoted their life to incredible inventions. However, we’ve listed some of the most inspiring women along with their inventions to inspire you on this Women’s Day.
Happy Women’s Day!