5 crucial inventions you can thank women for

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  • 1/5
    Monopoly - The next time you sit down with the family for a spin at your favourite board game, think of its inventor Elizabeth Magie. Originally called "The Landlord's Game", Elizabeth created what is now called Monopoly in 1903, as a comment on the effects of land grabbing.
    1/5 Monopoly - The next time you sit down with the family for a spin at your favourite board game, think of its inventor Elizabeth Magie. Originally called "The Landlord's Game", Elizabeth created what is now called Monopoly in 1903, as a comment on the effects of land grabbing.
  • 2/5
    Chocolate chip cookies - In 1930, lodge owner Ruth Wakefield was part way through whipping up a batch of biscuits for guests when she realised she was out of baker's chocolate. Improvising on the hoof, she broke a Nestle chocolate bar into pieces, assuming the chocolate would melt into the mixture. Viola, the chocolate chip biscuit was born.
    2/5 Chocolate chip cookies - In 1930, lodge owner Ruth Wakefield was part way through whipping up a batch of biscuits for guests when she realised she was out of baker's chocolate. Improvising on the hoof, she broke a Nestle chocolate bar into pieces, assuming the chocolate would melt into the mixture. Viola, the chocolate chip biscuit was born.
  • 3/5
    Windscreen wipers - After watching countless drivers stopping to clear their windscreens, Anderson decided there had to be a more convenient solution. She developed the windscreen wipers we know today in 1903, and gained the patent for her design in 1905.
    3/5 Windscreen wipers - After watching countless drivers stopping to clear their windscreens, Anderson decided there had to be a more convenient solution. She developed the windscreen wipers we know today in 1903, and gained the patent for her design in 1905.
  • 4/5
    Beer - According to research by historian Jane Peyton, the business of brewing beer has long been a woman's domain. Research uncovered that about 7000 years ago in ancient taverns in Mesopotamia and Sumeria, women's beer brewing expertise were so highly prized that they were the only ones allowed to make the celebrated drink, and run the drinking establishments.
    4/5 Beer - According to research by historian Jane Peyton, the business of brewing beer has long been a woman's domain. Research uncovered that about 7000 years ago in ancient taverns in Mesopotamia and Sumeria, women's beer brewing expertise were so highly prized that they were the only ones allowed to make the celebrated drink, and run the drinking establishments.
  • 5/5
    The Dishwasher - In 1886, socialite Josephine Cochrane decided that if she wanted something done right, she had to do it herself. She had had enough of the servants breaking her china, so she invented the world's first dishwasher.
    5/5 The Dishwasher - In 1886, socialite Josephine Cochrane decided that if she wanted something done right, she had to do it herself. She had had enough of the servants breaking her china, so she invented the world's first dishwasher.

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If you assume most inventors are men, think again. Today is International Women's Day, and to celebrate, we're taking a look at how women through the ages have been at the forefront of everything from beer brewing to board games. Above are just some of the inventions dreamed up by a woman.

- NZ Herald

 

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