May 5: First Patent Awarded to Woman in US, 1809

On May 5, 1809, the first patent to a woman was given by the US Patent Office. Women had been eligible to receive patents since 1790, but this was the first one awarded. It was for a technique to make straw hats. Read article here.



Pictured: portrait of Philippine Bohmer by Ferdinand Georg Waldmuller, about 1817.