The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-24
INVENTIVE MIND
OFF DEAR WOMAN
r1any Devices to Beautify
Her Sex and Relieve
Pain--Some Have Won
Big Fortunes.


patent office by women, and most of
them are as unique as they are ingeni-
Gus. They cover the whole range of
utility, and after a close investigation
1t is hard to determine in what particu-
lar line they excel. Whilst cosmetics
and "beautifiers" may have been their
forte, their inventive genius has rem
dered such invaluable service in the
way of hospital beds, chairs, pillows
and other appliances for invalids, that
it may be safely said they are as mind
full of the sick and suffering as they
are fond of the beautiful.
Among those patents applied for by
women for beautifying the person is
one to make artificial dimples. A
small spot on the cheek or chin is to be
smeared with colorless shellac varnish
mixed with glue, and the center of the
spot is to be pressed firmly with the
point of a pencil until the glue sets
The stiffened indentation thus retains
the exact shape of a dimple, and lit
tie complexion powder busted carefully
over will completely conceal the var
nish compound. The subject is warned
not to smile too abruptly, but is as
sured that with gentle usage 1t may
last a whole night.
This dimple process, it is added, "is
only applicable to those who have soft,
velvety, plump faces"
FIRST PATENT TO A WOMAN.
The ..rst invention patented by a wo-
man and recorded in the patent office
in Washington was a device for STRAW
weaving with silk thread" 1t was
awarded to Mary Kies and issued May
5, 1909 Six years passed before anoth-
er lady pulled the latch string of the
patent office in the person of Mary
Brush, who invented the corset" and
received her certificate July 2l, 1915.
The women came along very slowly at
first, and from the time that Miss Kies
obtained the first patent granted to a
woman in this country only nine more
were granted to women until Miss
Elizabeth Oeam invented the globe
for teaching geography" In the schools,
Jan. u, 1881, or less than one every
two years. In the year 1890 the num-
ber of patents issued to women aver
aged about one every other day. In
1896 this average was increased to a
few more than one for every day in
the year.
I met II. c. Everett, the patent at
torney, the other evening. He was
seated in his library at the rear of his
offices in the Park building. This room
contains the complete records of the
patent office from 1890 up to the present
time Mr.. F,vert said: This is surely
the age of invention. 1t has been the
principal factor the moving spirit in
the wonderful progress of the past 30
years. When you speak of patents re-
member that according to an estimate
made by the commissioner of patents,
from six to seVen-eighths of the capital
of the entire manufacturing business
in the United States, which Is nearly
$4,000 OOO,O 900, is based on patents direct
ly or indirectly.
3"But, Mr.. Evert, how do women dis
pose of their patents?" l queried.
"Some of them" he replied, sell them
outright; others manufacture the pat
ent themselves and sell the product to
dealers; n few employ agents who sell
it from house to house; others place
them on royalties with large manufac-
turing concerns. l have q client Mrs.
w. Il. Baird, of the East End, who
realized over $4,000 the first year as her
profits on the famous Iron City dish
washer She manufactures her own
dish washers and gets orders from all
parts of the world. Mrs. Baird assured
me not long since that she had made
S164O clear in the last 81 days; not SO
bad for woman entirely inexperienced
in business. She doesn't canvass at all
people come and send for their washers
and every washer that goes out sells
two or three more. Anyone can sell an
article that everyone wants to buy
Among those who manufacture their
own inventions is Mrs. FroideveauX, OF
Allegheny, who nVented a scissors
sharpener which she manufacturl al
50 per gross and sold them at 25 cents
per piece. 1t is not necessary to adj
that she has become rich"
"Mr. EYeTt, have you ever noticed
any striking characteristics of peculiar
tiles not usually observed in other wo.
men among your clients?"
"Well," said he they are, as a rule
rather domestic, of strong character
and almost all of that class known a!
'womans rights people"
"HaVe there been any very importan
and profitable patents invented by wo
men?"
"Most certainly" replied Mr.. Ever
very seriously. "SOme of the mos
practical and. profitable inventions anC
improvements during the latter por
tion Of this century are due to the geni
us of women directly, not to speak o
the invaluable and untold aid they
have lent to their husbands and friends
by the benign influence they WELD owe
the sterner sex.
THE WIFE OF THE WIZARD.
"Mrs. Edison has always been
source OF great encouragement to tn,
great inventor in his labors. She is il
complete sympathy with his work anC
is pardonably proud and supremel!
happy over the wonderful success h,
has achieved in the field of science
Not only is she a loving mother and
dutiful and affectiOpate wife, but elsc
a helpmate. She reigns queen Of tn,
Edison home in Llewellyn Park, whil
her husband wields the magic wand o
genius i'm his laboratory at Orange, N
]. She often visits him in his labora
tory, even assisting him in his expert
ments. / know of occasions when h
is after some important secret hiddei
in the bowels of science, and his ex
tended Investigations necessitate hi
remaining at his work for days AM
nights continuously, she has rename,
with him the entire time, sleeping on
cot near > work bench. Surely sucl
devotion and interest must be of tn
greatest assistance.
"The records of the patent Office teen
with the names of women who hav
by their Industry and genius produce,
some great invention. The first casl
register on a street car was invente,
by woman. She became very wealth,
and now. believe. lives In one Of tn