who was the first woman to invent something
10 things invented by women. Clothes wringer/mangle. In 1880, an African-American woman named Ellen Elgin invented the clothes wringer. Sadly, she never made a fortune, selling her patent rights for a pittance because she believed if white women knew the wringer was invented by a black woman they wouldnât want it. Suspension bridge supports. Invented in 1811 by Sarah Guppy, 41, from Birmingham, UK. Windscreen Wipers.