Mothers and Daughters of Innovation Kolachana Sri Ram Aditya

What is common? Computers Windshield wiper Monopoly (The game) Disposable Diapers Compilers Barbie Doll Kevlar Radium Ada Lovelace Mary Anderson Lizzie Magie Marion Donovan Grace Hopper Ruth Handler Stephanie Kwolek Marie Curie

Inventive Capacity Sex differences in connections between left and right side of human brains Some studies show women have more connections  women more inventive Environment an important factor- Freedom to explore physical environment Freedom to engage in rough and tumble play Free time Real life examples – Woman bootlegger in India Hence boils down to motive and opportunity

Inventive Achievement Sexual division of labor determines motive and opportunity In Bronze age men were hunters, women did everything else – skinning, slicing, cooking and gathering Women most likely inventors of tools and processes for these activities – knives, early chemistry, food preserving and processing, fire, storage, utensils, stoves etc. In addition women likely invented herbal medicines, spinning looms, pottery and agriculture

Why so Few? Androcentric view of history causes trivialization of women’s achievements Under reporting Shift of balance to males as they understood their role in procreation Population explosion  shift towards large scale agriculture favorable to men

Conclusions It is really not “Why so few?” but rather, “Why do we know so few?” 95% of patents currently held by men Historically women did not have money Patents require time which women have lesser than men Married Women’s Property Act Lack of access to education and technical training

Conclusions Women with ideas then sold them to experts or gave up In the process ideas not attributed to them Self image issues – technology considered unfeminine

Remedies Redefine Technology Technology currently defined as what men do Female activities not considered technology Redefine Significance Foundational nature of women’s innovations Proper classification Consider human impact in addition to economic and technological impact

Thank You!