Top 20 Inventions that Liberated Women
Social, scientific & technical advancements that helped liberate women
Women’s life in the past (with 13 kids):
Monday: Baking and cooking.
Tuesday: Laundering (by hand) and line drying.
Wednesday: Ironing and housecleaning.
Thursday: Sewing and mending.
Friday: Gardening, hauling water and canning.
Next week? Do it all again.
Women’s modern life (with 2 kids):
Monday: Pick up bread after work after picking up the kids from school and taking them to soccer practice.
Tuesday: Do the laundry after work after picking up the kids from school and going to piano lessons.
Wednesday: Pick up gift for birthday party after work after picking up the kids from school.
Thursday: Write paper for online class after work after picking up the kids from school after making dinner.
Friday: Go out for pizza after work after picking up kids from school after parent/teacher conference.
Next week? Do some of it again ...and then some.
Okay, there are a few ways in which women’s lives are more complicated than they used to be – if only for the increased number of options women have today. But overall, inventions and social changes have made many aspects of our lives easier. In the past, women’s work was physically demanding, time consuming, and repetitive. In fact, in 1900, women spent an average of 58 hours a week on household chores. In 1975, that number was reduced to 18 hours.
Take a look at the following list, and you’ll realize that the minds and time of women have been liberated by social change and scientific advancements. Yes, women today still take on the majority of household duties, but they have more time than in the past for learning and applying new information, developing new skills, and trying new hobbies.
- Washing Machine/Dryer
Care to hand-crank and wring your family’s clothes? I didn’t think so. Imagine washing your son’s football uniform or your daughter’s softball socks by hand everyday after practice. Be thankful this invention arrived on the scene in 1916. 
The Refrigerator
Without a refrigerator, women were forced to shop frequently for needed dinner items, spend hot hours at the stove canning fruits and vegetables, or preserving foods by salting, spicing, smoking, pickling, and drying. Makes you want to go to the fridge for a cold one, doesn’t it?- The Microwave
Zap it! The microwave saves untold time when heating up dinner, leftovers, snacks, beverages, and more. Aside from baking a cake, the microwave is the helpful buddy who can get dinner ready in minutes (literally). - Frozen, Canned and Prepared Foods
In the past, families largely ate what they could grow, and food preservation and preparation fell to women. Later, frozen and canned foods supplanted manual labor in the fields and kitchen. Today, prepared “fresh” foods such as salads, sandwiches and entrees make it even easier to eat a “home cooked meal” without cooking in the home! - Dishwasher
“Modern dishwashers are descended from the 1886 hand-powered invention of Josephine Cochrane, which she unveiled at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Cochrane was the wealthy granddaughter of John Fitch, the inventor of the steamboat. She never washed dishes herself and invented the dishwasher because her servants were chipping her fine china.” - Disposable Diapers
Caring for babies and toddlers is round-the-clock work. Disposable diapers ease the load (pun intended!) and require no laundering and less mess. The latest models offer eco-friendly alternatives so women can have convenience without guilt. - Running Water/Hot Water Heater
In the old days, women pumped, hauled, and boiled gallons of water – everyday – for cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Indoor plumbing and the hot water heater changed all that, freeing up untold hours for other activities. 
Sewing Machines
Imagine sewing your family’s clothes and other textiles by hand. The first mechanical sewing machines were used in garment factories—many employed with women. By 1889, sewing machines made their way into private homes and helped women sew in a fraction of the time.- The Right to Vote
Passed in 1919, the 19th Amendment states, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Women’s right to vote was just the beginning. Today, issues related to women and family, such as maternity/paternity leave, are center stage in the national arena. - Title IX
Title IX states, "No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid." Now, more women than men are enrolled in colleges and universities. You GO, girl! - Bloomers
Worn by women’s activists in 1850s, bloomers were a cross between pants and a full skirt. This clothing item allowed women the freedom of trousers (for activities such as bicycling and other sports), while maintaining Victorian decency. Bloomers, of course, were the inspiration for Victoria’s Secret... - The Right to Serve in the U.S. Military
During World War I, the Navy broke its nurse-only tradition, and began accepting women as yeomen. Women were not allowed to be generals or admirals until 1967. Now, more than 90% of all career fields in the Armed Forces are open to women. - The Right to Own Property
In 1839, Mississippi was the first state to grant women the right to hold property in their own name (with their husbands’ permission). By 1900, every state passed legislation granting married women some control over their property and earnings. Finally in 1981, state laws overturned the precedent that a husband was “head and master” of any property owned jointly with his wife. - The Pill
The 1960s introduced the first commercially available oral contraceptive for women. “The Pill” gave women control over their own fertility – specifically allowing them to decide if and when to have children. It revolutionized women’s sexuality and family planning. 
Sports Bra
In 1977, three women athletes stitched together two jockstraps to create the first “modern” sports bra. We’ve come a long way, baby! Now, high-tech fabrics combine function and comfort so that women can go the distance. The advancements in women’s sportswear coincide with women’s accomplishments in sports—which lend to overall health and happiness.- Tampons
While the ancient Greeks can be credited with developing early tampons fashioned from lint and wood, the first applicator tampon with removal cord was invented in 1929. This convenient product provides increased discretion and uninterrupted access to sports activities, such as swimming. - Laptop Computer & WiFi
Laptop computers and “work anywhere” networks enable women to negotiate family-friendly schedules – a few days in the office and a day or two at home. Go ahead – tote your computer to the local coffee shop, order a chai tea, and settle in for an afternoon of work. This is one invention that helps women to manage their households while staying involved with the working world. - Smart Phone
The earliest Smart Phones offered a calendar, address book, calculator, and other little features. Today’s Smart Phones are essentially mini-computers that allow a modern woman to keep the whole world within the palm of her hand. Email, Internet, document downloads, photos... Anything else? Oh yes, it makes phone calls, too. - Self-Cleaning House
This might not count because it hasn't liberated any women except the patent holder, but it’s fun to envision for future women. A woman named Frances Gabe invented the self-cleaning house, and she lives in the prototype in Oregon. Maybe you can rent the self-cleaning guest room! - Online Education
Web-based learning can be traced back to CalCampus, which offered the first complete online curriculum program in 1994. Since that time, online learning environments have blossomed, making education accessible and convenient for mothers, working women, and anyone who wants to learn. Millions of students today are taking at least one online class. Now it’s your turn to tune in!
Next time you feel trapped or overwhelmed by your modern life, strap on your sports bra and enjoy a jog. Then return to the property you own or rent, microwave some popcorn, enjoy an ice-cold beverage, and peruse a catalog of online classes. Freedom is sweet!
Ronni Rowland is a freelance writer based out of Orange County, CA. She regularly writes for eLearners, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, and San Diego Family Magazine. She also teaches writing workshops for kids. Visit her online at www.ronnirowland.com.
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