Mary Beatrice Kenner: The Visionary Inventor Who Revolutionized Women‘s Lives
Introduction
In the annals of American history, countless inventors have left their mark on society through groundbreaking innovations and creative problem-solving. However, the stories of many African-American inventors, particularly women, have often been overlooked or forgotten. One such visionary was Mary Beatrice Kenner, a prolific inventor who transformed women‘s lives with her revolutionary sanitary belt and other practical inventions. Despite facing significant barriers due to her race and gender, Kenner persevered and became one of the most successful African-American women inventors in history.
Early Life and Education
Mary Beatrice Kenner was born on May 17, , in Charlotte, North Carolina, into a family of inventors. Her father, Sidney Nathaniel Davidson, was a successful inventor in his own right, having created a compact clothing press for travelers. Her grandfather, Robert Phromeberger, had also made his mark with inventions like a wheeled stretcher for ambulances and a tricolor signal light for trains. Kenner‘s older sister, Mildred Davidson Austin Smith, would late
Born into a family of passionate inventors, Mary Beatrice Kenner was dedicated to making life easier for others.
Today, she holds the record for the most patents awarded to an African-American woman by the US government and is best-known for her first patented invention, the sanitary belt. This revolutionary product was designed to improve the comfort of those menstruating and was the precursor to the sanitary pads we recognise today.
Yet despite the ingenuity of her designs, as an African-American woman, Kenner repeatedly faced deeply entrenched attitudes towards race and gender, and never made any money from her creations.
From arranging flowers to breaking records, heres the story of the extraordinary Mary Beatrice Kenner.
Today on Patented: History of Inventions, we discuss the torturous history of treadmills. Before they found their way into gyms, treadmills had a much darker history. In the 19th Century, they could most commonly be found in prisons.
Listen NowInventing was in her blood
From the day of her birth in Charlotte, North Carolina on 17 May , Mary Beatrice Kenner was immersed in a world of invention. Her father, Sidney Nathaniel Davidson, invented sev
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was a remarkable 20th-century inventor who received five patents. In spite of enduring racism her entire life, Kenner succeeded in patenting inventions that made everyday life easier. Her inventions include the sanitary belt - a predecessor to the maxi pad, a serving tray and pocket that connect to a walker, and a toilet paper holder that ensures the loose end of the paper is within reach.
Kenner was born into a family of inventive thinkers on May 7, in Monroe, North Carolina. Her father, Sidney Nathaniel Davidson, patented a clothing presser in that could fit into a suitcase. Her maternal grandfather, Robert Phromeberger, invented a tricolor light signal for trains and a stretcher with wheels for ambulances. Kenner’s sister, Mildred Davidson Austin Smith, grew up to patent a board game in
As a young child, Kenner was always coming up with creative solutions to problems. At the precocious age of six, she attempted to invent a self-oiling door hinge. Other childhood inventions included putting a sponge at the tip of an umbrella to soak up rain water, and a portable ashtray to attach
MARY KENNER: The Extraordinary Journey Of An African-American Inventor ()
Life Of Mary Kenner
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner, or Mary Kenner, was an African-American woman who lived from until , was an inventor. Mary Beatrice Davidsons full name was In addition to being the creator of a number of inventions that are still in use today, Kenner holds the record for the most patents held by an African American woman.
Kenner was born on May 17th, , in the city of Monroe, located in the state of North Carolina. Her sister, Mildred Davidson Austin Smith, is her only sibling, and her father was the famous inventor Sidney Nathaniel Davidson. According to the available public sources, her mothers identity is a mystery. However, Mary Kenner began inventing at the age of six, when she attempted to invent a self-oiling door hinge.
Mary Kenner went on to receive many patents for her innovations in her forties. The inventor came from a creative household. Her paternal grandfather, Robert Phromeberger, is known for inventing a tricolor light signal for railroads and a stretcher with wheels for ambulances. Both of these inventions were quite successful. Her father received a paten
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