The history of female inventors has often been overlooked, whether due to restrictive patent laws, societal shyness, uncertainty, or the overshadowing influence of their husbands. Despite this, our world is filled with essential technologies, many of which were created by women. However, these inventors often received little to no recognition for their work, with some being dismissed from history altogether. Here, we highlight some of the most important inventions of the past two centuries developed by women. Hopefully, it will inspire some to look back at all the incredible female inventors we have to celebrate, or even inspire other women inventors of the future.
#1: Ada Lovelace – First Computer Program
In 1843, Ada Lovelace published notes on the Analytical Engine that included what’s now considered the world’s first computer algorithm, written over 100 years before the first computer was built. Lovelace uniquely predicted that a machine like the Analytical Engine could go beyond math to create music or art, envisioning modern computing’s creative potential.
