WOMEN AS INVENTORS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6850, 4 March 1929, Page 11

WOMEN AS INVENTORS

It has sometimes been asserted that women do not have the ability to invent, but such a statement has no foundation in fact. From 1790 to 1910, iu the United States alone, nearly 11,000 patents wore granted om women’s inventions. In England, 500 patents were taken out by women in one year, relating to motor cars, airplanes and various commercial objects. During 1914 patents were granted to women for the following utilities; a system of electrical distribution; control of au electric engine starter; an automatic- lubricator; a new form otf rivet; a wheeled luggage carrier; a parachute for aeronauts, and a submarine. A Holborn firm of patent lawyers in Great Britain, in business for more than a century, reports that during 1927 it handled more inventions by women, than ever before. Women were especially active in tho field of invention of eooking utensils, electrical toilet apparatus, nursery furniture, pleating machiues, folding tables, and numerous other articles.

When the General Electric Company presented four shares of common stock and certificates to 27 employees at the fourth annual award, Miss Florence Kuhn was among the number to be honoured. So far as it has been possible to learn, aho is the second woman in history to be rewarded in this way. She had been a machine operator in the Decatur (HI.) plant. In her first factory experience, where she was substituting for another girl, sho found she could not maintain the pace. Therefore she developed a method of working faster. The work was on armatures of small washing machine motors. A reward of £2O was given her at the time of this suggestion. She is so adept at handling machines to which she is not accustomed, that she is used as substitute operator in various departments. On a farm in Kansas, lives a woman whose chief occupation is raising chickens, but who has found time to originate a doll that can walk, dance, sit down, cross its legs, and take almost any other position possible to the human body. A few years ago Mrs. McPheeters was asked by her little girl, Evelyn, to make her a doll that could walk, talk and do, other things like a real person. So the mother consented to try. From a few pieces of wood, a handful of bolts, and taps, a thatch of hair, and a wax head,..she succeeded in making a mechanical doll that completely satisfied her daughter and which promises' to bring its inventor considerable wealth. Leading manufacturers in the United States are clamouring for a chance to purchase the patent, and one offer of £IOOO for foreign rights has been made.

The patent, which allows improvement, is based upon the adjustable jointing arrangement. The first doll was somewhat crude in comparison with more recent ones made by Mrs. McPheeters. The bodies are of willow. Each doll is composed of 15 or 20 pieces and has 20 joints with ball and socket motion. Ono bolt fastens the legs, and lock washers at the joints regulate the movement. The limb may be locked into any position. ' The head movos as the doll walks just enough to look very lifelike. The wax heads and voice boxes are tlic only parts obtained from manufacturers.

A child can readily learn to make the dolls walk, dance, tip-toe, and do other interesting things. They can balance on one foot, stand on their heads and perform various gymnastic sruuts.