The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-01-13
IN WOMAN'S BEHALF.
WOMEN AS INVENTORS.
They Have Taken Out Patents for Many
Ingenious Things.

They Have Taken Out Patents for Many
Ingenious Things.
1t is not to be expected in many arts
or manufactures that women will be
able to take an equal footing with men
as inventors; but in domestic appliances
or in novelties of dress there is no rea-
son why the ladies should not enjoy a
fair share of the profits resulting from
successful patent, says Invention.
The accomplished wife of Pere Hya-
cinthe. we are told, invented and pat
ented an improved corset. and it is said
that the Empress Eugene first devised
mysterious dress improver. which
eventually developed into the crinoline.
We have ourselves had the pleasure of
acting for many ingenious female in
ventors, and the patent lists record nu-
merous applications from women for
patents or the registration of designs.
Female inventors do not, however,
confine themselves to those departments
in which they may be supposed to have
special experience. Patents have been
granted to women for a plan for dead
ening the noise on railways, for pre-
venting sparks from locomotive engines,
for paper-bag making machinery, and
for a new form of life raft. 1t is, how
ever. more properly in novel dress pro-
tectors, clothes pins, churns, wash
basins, dairy appliances, and dress fit
tings that the female inventor mostly
excels. Nearly four hundred applica-
tions for patents were made last year
l., 49, 1,of Co., rha =
est proportion of them have reference
to claimed improvements in connection
with furniture, invalid appliances, cook
ing and education. Several applica-
tons, however relate to general indus
tries. such as stationery, textile man.
features, electrical and railway appli-
ances, pumps and typewriters.
Foremost among female inventions
are certainly those appertaining to
their own personal adOrnment, or that
of their homes Many devices have
been patented for raising the skirt when
crossing muddy road, a problem es-
sentially for the fair ones. Appliances
for the sick have also engrossed consid-
cradle attention, and these may be sup
plemented by novelties in fancy work,
puzzles and games. New sky signs, ad-
vertising devices, fire escapes, cameras,
balloons and skates further swell the
list of last years applications. The I'M
selfish disposition of women is again
portrayed by their inventive attentions
to the opposite sex, in such matters as
improved braces, ''trousers-splash pre-
venters," button-hole fiower-holders,
self-attaching neckties, sleeve-links and
means of securing mems collars and
cuffs.
Not only do ladies seem fully able to
originate ideas, but also prove able to
hold their own, commercially, in the
defense and exploitation of their pat
ents. Several large and fourishing
commercial businesses in this country
are actually and practically carried on
by women. One lady in the United
States very successfully defended her
patent dress protector in open court,
and, though conducting her case her
self, came off with flying colors, al
though opposed to one of the cleverest
lawyers in America. In the multitude
nous and ever-increasing requirements
of modern domestic life, in the chang
ing fashion of dress, and in the growing
necessity for substituting mechanical
labor-saving appliances for landmarks
work in household affairs, a boundless
field lies before the gentle sex in which
their inventive faculties can be produc-
lively and profitably exercised.