The word “inventor” brings to mind images of men like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, but inventors come from every demographic and segment of society. The stories of inventive women often have been overlooked, undervalued, and sometimes lost, not least because they have lacked the support and backing necessary to secure patents and develop inventions into marketable products or services. In mid-2019, both houses of Congress held hearings on what lawmakers called the “lost Einsteins,” looking at gender gaps in science, engineering, technology, and invention. Patricia Bath, inventor of a surgical instrument for cataract removal, testified: “The pipeline for increasing women scientists and engineers begins by igniting the spark for learning and curiosity.” Academic research has confirmed the importance of role models in inspiring invention among girls while also pointing out that, at current rates, it will take more than a century to reach gender parity with male inventors. 1Back to Stories List