INNOVATIONS IN SCIENCE

Alice H. Parker (1895–1920)

Patented the natural gas heater

Alice H. Parker, from New Jersey USA, patented the system of central heating using natural gas. Natural gas to power a heating furnace was revolutionary in the 1920s, helping to conserve energy and pave the way for the central heating systems we have today.¹

Parker’s design allowed cool air to be drawn into the furnace, then conveyed through a heat exchanger that delivered warm air through ducts to individual rooms of a house. This design was unique, as it used natural gas as fuel instead of coal or wood.¹

As an African-American in the early 20th century, filing a patent was a remarkable milestone, as it preceded both the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Liberation Movement.¹

Mary Anderson (1866–1953)

Inventor of the windscreen wiper

Mary Anderson was inspired to create her screen wiping device one winter day whilst travelling in a streetcar in New York. She realised the driver could hardly see through his windshield due to the snow, and had to open the two-part window to clear it, exposing his face to the elements. Anderson noted how impractical this was, and so sketched her wiper device right there in the streetcar.¹

After a number of false starts, Mary developed a working prototype: a set of wiper arms made of wood and rubber, attached to a lever. When the driver pulled the lever, it dragged the spring-loaded arm across the window.¹

Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000)

The mother of Wi-Fi

Hedy Lamarr was born in Vienna, Austria. A famous actress, Hedy was also an inventor who pioneered the technology that would one day form the basis for today’s WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth communication systems.¹

In 1940, Lamarr met George Antheil – composer, author and inventor – at a dinner party. The two shared the same inventive spirit, developing a new communication system involving the use of ‘frequency hopping’ amongst radio waves.¹

The Electronic Frontier Foundation awarded Lamarr and Antheil with their Pioneer Award in 1997. This achievement led Lamarr to be dubbed ‘the mother of Wi-Fi’ and other wireless communications like GPS and Bluetooth.¹

Ada Lovelace (1815–1852)

The first computer programmer

Ada Lovelace, the daughter to Lord Byron and Lady Byron, became an associate of British inventor and mathematician, Charles Babbage. Ada helped to create a program for Babbage’s first prototype digital computer.^1,2

Babbage’s machine, the Analytical Engine, is considered to be the world’s first digital computer, consisting of all the essential features found in modern PCs.¹ Lovelace’s work on this machine led her to become known as the first computer programmer.¹ The second Tuesday of October is marked by Ada Lovelace Day, celebrating the contributions women have made to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.¹

Bertha Benz (1849–1944)

First female automotive pioneer

Bertha Benz, the wife of Mercedes Benz founder, Carl Benz, majorly contributed to her husband’s three-wheeled Benz Patent Motorwagen. Bertha became famous as the first woman to drive long-distance in an automotive road trip, a 60-mile (100 km) drive that was not without its issues – issues Bertha successfully overcame. Bertha’s field testing of the car helped in the design of wire insultation for the ignition, and she contributed to the invention of leather brake pads, which helped the wooden brake pads if they failed. ¹

Bertha’s field-test road trip not only reaffirmed the Benz Motorwagen, but bolstered both sales and marketing efforts in making the Benz Patent Motor Car a success on the market.¹