Maria Beasley

Maria Beasley's life raft patent, April 6, 1880.

Maria E. Beasley (neé Kenny)[1] was born in Philadelphia. She was an entrepreneur and inventor. Overall, she held fourteen different patents in two different countries.[2]

Biography

Beasley was married in 1865.[1] She held various jobs over time, including dressmaker.[1] Between 1891 and 1896, Chicago directories listed her occupation as inventor.[1]

Beasley's first patent was granted in 1878.[1] She had invented a barrel-hooping machine, which she showed at the World Industrial and Cotton Exposition in 1884.[1] She also exhibited her improved life raft which was patented in 1882.[3] Beasley's barrel-hooping machine made her quite a lot of money, with the Evening Star writing in 1889, that she "made a small fortune out of a machine for the manufacture of barrels."[4] Her invention could make 1,500 barrels a day.[5] Beasley's other inventions included foot warmers, cooking pans, anti-derailment devices for trains[6] and two improved life raft designs, which were also patented in Britain.[1] Her life rafts were used on the Titanic.[7]

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stanley 1995, p. 348.
  2. ↑ Khan, B. Zorina (2005). The Democratization of Invention: Patents and Copyrights in American Economic Development, 1790-1920. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 153. ISBN 9780521811354.
  3. ↑ Himsl, Sharon M. (2015-04-14). "Sharon's Shells, Tales and Sails : L is for Life Raft: Inventions by Women A-Z". Sharon's Shells, Tales and Sails. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  4. ↑ "Women as Inventors". Evening Star. 9 November 1889. Retrieved 8 May 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Busy Women". Arkansas Democrat. 14 September 1901. Retrieved 8 May 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Jones, Jared (9 March 2016). "Celebrate Women's History Month with 12 awesome things invented by women.". Upworthy. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  7. ↑ "6 Female Inventors Who Made the World a Safer Place | Direct Auto". Direct Connect. 2017-02-08. Retrieved 2017-05-08.

Sources

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