Beulah Louise Henry (1887-1973) is nicknamed “Lady Edison" and is recognized for her everyday devices that made life a little easier and simpler. If she could imagine it, she would create it.
Beulah Louise Henry (1887-1973) is nicknamed “Lady Edison" and is recognized for her everyday devices that made life a little easier and simpler. If she could imagine it, she would create it.
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History classes can get a bad wrap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, and Ale Tejeda. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Elsa Majimbo and this is Womanica.
This month, we’re highlighting innovators - women who helped shape the world we live in today.
Responsible for over 100 inventions, today’s innovator is nicknamed “Lady Edison”. She is recognized for her everyday devices that made life a little easier and simpler. If she could imagine it, she would create it. Let’s talk about Beulah Henry.
Beulah Louise Henry was born in 1887 in Raleigh, North Carolina. From a young age, Beulah expressed her creativity through painting, drawing, and music. Her curiosity was of the same caliber as her creativity. Few things brought Beulah more joy than identifying when something was wrong and how it could be improved. It is said that she began drawing plans for various inventions when she was just nine years old.
Beulah received an education from North Carolina Presbyterian College and Elizabeth College in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 1912, Beulah patented her first invention – the vacuum-sealed ice cream freezer. The device allowed the user to make ice cream without having to use a manual crank. This was the beginning of a series of Beulah’s products that solved everyday problems, especially for women. Her success in North Carolina emboldened her to move to New York City in 1920. There, Beulah cemented herself as one of the most prolific inventors of the 1920s. With her next patent of the umbrella with a detachable cloth cover, Beulah was able to open her first business – the Henry Umbrella and Parasol Company. These umbrellas were wildly popular because they allowed the user to coordinate their outfit with the umbrella. Many stores carried Beulah’s fashionable umbrellas, including Lord & Taylor, which featured them prominently in their display window. By 1929, Beulah had opened her second business, B.L. Henry Company of New York, of which she was also president.
Beulah was constantly asking herself how everyday tools and items could be improved. This inquisitive spirit resulted in a range of inventions including the “protograph”, a device that produced typewritten copies of documents without the use of carbon paper. Other inventions included the “Miss Illusion” doll that had eyes that could blink and change colors, and the "Dolly Dip" sponge which stored soap in the middle.
If anything embodies Beulah’s tenacity for innovation it’s her famous quote of “I invent because I cannot help myself.”
Even before the release of her most famous invention, the Journal of the Patent Office Society profiled Beulah, identifying her as, “leading woman inventor”. hen in 1940, Beulah patented the first bobbinless sewing machine, known as the “Double Chain Stitch Sewing Machine”. Beulah saw a need for a sewing machine that was faster and had stronger stitches. Her version got rid of bobbins – a small spool of thread that sits inside the sewing machine – therefore eliminating the added time it took seamstresses to replace them when the thread ran out. With Beulah’s creation, seamstresses could produce more items in a shorter amount of time with stitches that didn’t unravel or tangle. Many factories still use a modernized version of the bobbinless sewing machine..
Beulah’s accomplishments are unique for this era, she was one of few inventors – male or female – able to make a living off her creations In total, she is credited with over 100 inventions and granted 49 U.S. patents.
Beulah Henry died in February 1973.
She was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006.
All month, we’re highlighting innovators.
For more information and pictures of some of the work we’re talking about, find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to co-creators Jenny and Liz Kaplan, who asked me to guest host.
Talk to you tomorrow!