Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-12-21
THE FIRST WOMAN INVENTOR,
New York Sun Amherst (Mass.) Letter.
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| A''s' OAtSA DCClI EillSl tIIlU tl1CIC ID uU
mechanical genius in woman; but there
IS representative woman near here
who is endowed with remarkable me-
chanlcal genius. Her name is Miss
Martha Wright. She has invented a
machine for manufacturing paper bags.
The contl1vance is very simple. con-
sisting of but little machinery, and is
already pronounced an invaluable ac-
QUESTION to the paper bag making trade,
which centers near Northampton, Hol-
yoke and Chicopee.
A fortune is predicted for the invent
ressi in comparatively short time. The
authorities at the Patent Office, Wash
ington, say that this is the first com
plete invention gotten up by woman.
Miss Knight is now experimenting
the making of the machines, which are
being manufactured at the Ames Com
pany's works, Chicopee. Some anus
ing and interesting accounts are given
of her first visit to the works. The
plans for machines had been sent on
previously, and preparations had been
made to begin the machinery.
VII Ici IlllCII CuIIOStbS WIS
manifested by the workmen regarding
her. All they were aware of was that
the plans had been sent and that they
were drawn by woman. There was
not particle of fault to be found with
them; they were correct to dot. But
they were not convinced. Probably
she had man to tell her everything!'
the workmen averrcd, and SO they be-
licved.
On the day of her first appearance in
the shops all the tools We're dropped,
and the whole force of men stood fac
ing her. Not in the least intimidated,
she met their scrutiny with frank,
honest smile, that at least Won their
friendly regard.
When she went on to explain her
plans, and when, wishing to illustrate
more particularly her meaning, she act
ually stepped to one of the mems places
and did herself what she wanted done,
instead of asking to have it done for
her, they were not only surprised but
convinced at once of her entire capa-
bility of managing her own affairs and
all the employees were ready to do what
ever she said they were to do.
Since that time she has made them
diurnal visits, goes down and labors
with them herself, detects mistakes and
flaws with a lcener eye than most lnen,
and she has gained the admiration, re-
spect and friendship of every man in
the large establishment. They all have
word of welcome for her and her Wis
its to them are the pleasantest parts of
the day.
In personal appearance Miss Knight
is decidedly progressing. She is a
tall, well-developel woman, with a
frank, pleasant face, very expressive,
honest and fearless, with blue eyes and
light brown hair, which she wears plain,
with coil at the back of her head.
Her manner is singularly simple, being
entirely free from atfectation. She has a
way of going straight to the point at
once when she desires to say anything,
and her mode of expression is decided
and correct.
When a friend, in a conversation
ventured to wonder some at the pecu-
liarity of her present vocation, and
could not explain how woman could
even do anything in machinery, she
sensibly said:
" 1t is only following out nature. I
never cared for things that girls usually
admire; dolls never possessed any
charms for me. [ could not see the
sense of coddling bits of porcelain
with senseless faces. The only things
I wanted were iack-knife, a gimlet,
and pieces of wood. My friends We're
Mortified. | was styled Tom-boy, but
that made little difference to me, and
effected no impression whatever. 1
sighed sometimes because l was not
like other girls, but wisely concluded
that I could not help it, and sought
further consolation from my tools. I
was always making things for my broth
ers; did they want anything in the line
of playthings, they always said: Mat
tie will make them for us. l was fam
GUS for my kites, and my sleds were the
envy and admiration of all the boys in
town. Tn not surprised at what I've
done. I'm only sorry could not have
had as good q chance as boy, and
been put to my trade regularly
Yet she knows as much about ma
chinery as though she had made it her
study all her life. 1t was genuine
gift. Miss Knight is Il native of Bos-
ton, but was employed in one of the
large paper-bag manufactures near
Northampton for some time, and it was
while SO engaged that first conceived
the creation Of u machine that would
save labor in paper-bag manufacturing.
Several attempts have been made before
to invent something Of this kind, but
all have proved unsuccessful
t. Some young men once cas.sa to