This site list print and Web resources on women inventors. Socially significant personal care items In 1898, Ms. Lyda D. Newman patented the first hairbrush with synthetic bristles. Mothers of Invention People who remember Hedy Lamarr probably recall her as a sexy movie star of the 1930s and 1940s. One day back in 1966, Mary Spaeth created an amazing invention. She made a tunable dye laser.
Lasers are machines that make incredible beams of light.
A tunable dye laser can be tuned to produce light in any color. It has many uses, from eye surgery to telescopes. Female Inventors Because female inventors are under-recognized for their accomplishments, we are featuring biographical sketches of these famous women including what they invented, how they conceived the idea and what developments have taken place since the original invention. This section is currently under development. It will soon feature many more inventors, so visit often.