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Lyda Newman. 1898. Synthetic Hairbrush.

[B1] Lyda Newman ● US Patent #614,335 ● Patented November 15, 1898 ● Hairbrush with synthetic bristles ● “The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved hair-brush which is simple and durable in construction, very effective when in use and arranged to permit of conveniently cleaning the brush whenever desired.” ● According to the Lemelson MIT website “Lyda Newman was a remarkable Black female inventor who patented the first hairbrush with synthetic bristles. She is the third Black woman to ever receive a patent. She is also known for her activism in the women’s voting rights movement of the early 20th century.”

The brushes include drawings from the patented design of Lyda Newman for a hairbrush with synthetic bristles. According to the text about her on the Lemelson-MIT Program website ““Lyda Newman was a remarkable Black female inventor who patented the first hairbrush with synthetic bristles. She is the third Black woman to ever receive a patent. She is also known for her activism in the women’s voting rights movement of the early 20th century.  

Lyda Newman was born in Ohio sometime between 1865 and 1885. Little is known of Newman’s personal life because women, especially Black women, were treated with disregard at that time. However, census records show that she spent most of her life living in New York City, working as a hairdresser. “

The Lemelson-MIT Program website further discusses Lyda Newman. “Newman’s decision to improve the design of the hairbrush derived from her own experience as a Black woman and as a hairdresser. She wanted the process of brushing hair to be more hygienic and efficient. Most hairbrushes at the time were made using animal hair, but the material was too soft to effectively treat the thicker texture of African American hair. Newman used synthetic fibers which were more durable and easier to clean. The brush contained evenly spaced rows of bristles with open slots to clear debris away from the hair into a recessed compartment. The back could be opened with a button for cleaning out the compartment. Newman received a patent for her invention on November 15, 1898. “ 

Every time I brush all three of my daughters’ hair, I think about this patent. My daughters have very, very sensitive scalps and for some reason they are all, despite their different textures, difficult to easily brush without pain and frustration. Recently, we had lice and the combing challenge (while using that lice comb) was exponentially increased! 

https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/lyda-newman

A link to her patent can be found here: https://patents.google.com/patent/US614335A

Kate Greenaway. Author/Illustrator of children’s book “A Apple Pie”

[I17] Kate Greenaway ● Author/Illustrator of children’s book “A Apple Pie” ● Published in 1900 ● This children’s book Introduces the letters A to Z while following the fortunes of an apple pie ● The image selected shows a woman taking a break and eating a pie, while in reality, many caregivers do not have the time or space to eat alone at the table calmly. 

HERo: Kate Greenaway, author of children’s book “A Apple Pie” from 1900. 

Link: https://www.loc.gov/item/85211404/

Margaret A. Wilcox. 1890. Combined Clothes and Dishwasher.

[D17] Margaret A. Wilcox ● US Patent # 426,486 ● Patented April 29, 1890 ● Combined Clothes and Dishwasher ● “I have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Clothes and Dish Washers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to this improvement relates to a washing-machine of that class in which there is a fixed semicircular tank or tub to receive the operating parts, and which may also be utilized for washing either clothes or dishes and the invention consists in the peculiar arrangement, combination, and construction of parts, hereinafter described, and then definitely pointed out in the claims.”

HERo: Margaret A. Wilcox, inventor of patent No. 426,486 for a Combined Clothes and Dishwasher in 1890. “Be it known that i, MARGARET A. VVILCOX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Clothes and Dish “Washers, of which the following’ is a specification, reference being had therein to the ac llhis improvement relates to a washing-machine of that class in which there is a fixed semicircular tank or tub to receive the operating’ parts, and which may also be utilized f for washing either ciothcs or dishessandthe invention consists in the peculiar arrangement, combination, and construction of parts, hereinafter described, and then definitely pointed ont in the claims.”

Link: https://patents.google.com/patent/US426486A

[A17] Historical photographs of unknown relatives. 

[A17] Historical photographs of unknown relatives. 

“Tech Bro” Culture Gets the Most Funding

This article discusses a startup that seems to include only men. Another article discussing the company writes “Nevertheless, Inversion Space has already raised $10 million in seed money to fund its venture. Joining Y Combinator, a Silicon Valley incubator known for early investments in Airbnb and Stripe, the startup in question is one among the growing number of researchers and companies who are now looking to make commercial activities feasible in the skies and beyond.”