In many instances in history, women have developed amazing things but never got the recognition for their work. This is because many societies would like for women to be subservient to men, and this is achieved by keeping the amazing things that women do a secret — or even crediting them to men instead. Many of the advancements in medicine, science, technology that we think were created by men were actually developed by women. These changes have altered the course of life as we know it, creating a new reality from the previous time periods of antiquated ways of thinking and being. The sad part is that the women who are responsible for these advancements have been suppressed in many cases. But with some digging these incredible women have been able to get more credit for their amazing works, and the groundbreaking advancements have been linked to their true creators. Here are 6 inventions and theories made by women but were credited to men.
Esther Lederberg: Microbial Genetics
Back in the 20th century, there were many obstacles for a woman pursuing a career in science and technology. But Esther Lederberg was determined. She had access to the laboratories at Stanford University through her husband, which gave her the ability to complete her research easier. She went on to become the first person to segregate the bacteria lambda phage, and together, she and her husband discovered replica plating. Her husband won the Nobel Prize for the work they completed together, but Esther received no credit at all.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell: Pulsars
A graduate student at University of Cambridge, 24-year-old Jocelyn Bell Burnell was a leading researcher in the field of astrophysics. In 1967, she made a huge breakthrough as she saw strange markings in the radio frequencies of a telescope. After researching them, she discovered a “pulsar,” which was a compact star that emits radioactive waves through two poles. In spite of her work, she was not recognized for her efforts and the Nobel Prize was presented to Antony Hewish and Martin Ryle.
ENIAC Women: First Electronic Computer
As the US Army fell short of male recruits for its engineering division at the start of the World War II, they had to recruit women. They trained six women by the name of Kathleen McNulty, Frances Bilas, Betty Jean Jennings, Ruth Lichterman, Elizabeth Snyder, and Maryn Wescoff. They worked on the ENIAC, a massive computer style machine that was created to work in conjunction with the war. During their stint, they worked to greatly improve the machine to operate much better than its initial function. As media coverage swelled, the only mention of the people behind the machine were the male engineers Presper, Eckert and Mauchly.
Nettie Stevens: Sex Chromosomes
Nettie Steves actually discovered that the size difference in the 20th chromosome was the determining factor in the sex of an embryo. She was the initial discoverer of this fact, but her colleague and mentor E.B. Wilson was given credit instead.
Mary Anderson: Windshield Wipers
In 1902, Mary Anderson came up with the idea for windshield wipers after observing that cars in New York were having trouble seeing through all the snow on their windshields. She patented her idea but could not find a manufacturer to back her and mass produce her creation. Then after her patent expired, Robert Kearns manufactured her wiper blades and was credited with the invention.
Elizabeth Magie: Monopoly
The Landlords Game was a creation by Elizabeth Magie back in 1903, and patented her idea in 1904. But no manufacturer would make it as they called it too complex and absurd. 30 years later, Charles Darrow played the game, loved it, and took the idea to the Parker Brothers firm. They mass produced the game under the new name of Monopoly, and Darrow is remembered as the founder of this game he actually never created.
