Exploring the history of women inventors lemelson center for the. We cannot publish copywritten material or bulk text taken from books or other. She received her first patent at the age of 25 for a vacuumsealed ice cream freezer. The prolific inventor received 49 patents, although she has been credited with as many as 110 inventions over the course of her lifetime.
Beulah henry became known as lady edison for the number and variety of devices she invented that made daily life easier. When it comes to her personal life, beulah seemed to cling to her inventions. Beulah louise henry april 20, 2018 december 18, 2017 by annie if youve ever wondered where and how the things we use in our everyday lives came from, it really comes down to one thing. Tales of awesomeness tales to inform, inspire, and motivate. Beulah henry began sketching out inventions when she was a young girl. Funeral home services for beulah are being provided by richard a henry funeral home inc. Beulah louise henry 18871973 registered 49 patents and is credited with at least 110 inventions. Born in raleigh, north carolina in 1887, beulah louise henry was often dubbed the lady edison in the 1920s and 1930s. Famed for being a prolific inventor, henry patented a wide number of products and innovations designed to improve daily life. A very prolific inventor, she had around 110 inventions in total though she held the patent for just around 49 during her lifetime. The first of her numerous patents was for a vacuum ice cream freezer in 1912. According to the journal of the patent office society, in 1937, she was known as americas leading feminine inventor.
Nihf inductee beulah louise henry and her many daily inventions. Beulah louise henry is sometimes called by the nickname, lady edison because she invented many different things. Her numerous inventions included improvements to sewing machines. Her inventions include a bobbinfree sewing machine and a vacuum ice. Around the world and across history, innovative women have imagined. Beulah louise henry engineering and technology history wiki. Beulah louise henry biography, life, interesting facts. A full list of beulah louise henrys inventions would be a lengthy one shes. Many other female inventors throughout history have been forgotten completely. Society, the league for animals, and the museum of natural history. Her work was so well known and respected, that as of 1937, she even had a museum exhibit dedicated to her in osaka, japan, which.
Beulah louise henry was a self educated inventor whose imagination. Beulah louise henry born 1887 lady edison henry, who received her first patent at age 25 for an ice cream freezer with a vacuum seal was such a prolific inventor that the media and the patent. According to bethesda resident anne macdonald, author of a book about. Beulah louise henry was born in 1887 and was dubbed lady edison in the 1930s. This didnt give her a chance to get married nor having a child of her own. Her inventions include a bobbinfree sewing machine and a vacuum ice cream freezer. The first, awarded in 1912, was for a vacuum ice cream freezer. Beulah louise henry entered the world in 1887 with creativity and invention in her spirit. Henry patented her first three inventions in 1912, while she still lived in northa carolina. Beulah louise henry beulah louise henry biography poem. Fantastic book for anyone who likes history, trivia, or biographies. Beulah louise henrys most incredible invention was that of an umbrella that had a wide array of colors.
Yet, the history of women inventors is as long as that of their male counterparts. She earned 49 patents, but her inventions number around 110. Beulah louise henry february 11, 1887 1973 was an american inventor. Farquhar puts together short bits on a number of american figures who most of us dont know, stretching from before the formation of the u. Though she was awarded around 49 patents over her lifetime, she had around 110 inventions total. While still living in charlotte, henry received her first three patents. In the 1930s, she was given the nickname lady edison for her many inventions. She was always tinkering to improve things she could use. Even at the tender age of nine, she was drawing plans for different inventions. Beulah louise henry was an american inventor nicknamed lady edison for her many inventions. Beulah louise henry was remarkable for the number of patents she applied for and her longterm success tinkering to invent items men would never think of. In the mid of 2006, she was stated into the national inventor hall of fame. Beulah brunner passed away on january 9, 2020 in battle creek, michigan. Beulah louise henry born 1887 lady edison henry, who.