United States

On December 8, 1894, Belle C. Sabin, a musician from Minneapolis, Minnesota, patented a novel cooking kettle. Her invention featured protective covers for both the body and the lip, designed to maintain a consistent temperature and prevent steam from escaping.

On August 15, 1950, Bernice Hulbert of Chicago, Illinois, was granted a patent for an innovative toy ball. This unique design featured a figure mounted inside the ball, engineered to roll and consistently come to an upright position, delighting children with its playful motion.

On March 12, 1918, Bessie Roberta Callow of Salt Lake City, Utah, patented a coin envelope featuring a row of pockets, each designed to hold a token securely in place. Her invention improved the stability and organization of coins during mailing or other forms of transport.

On May 27, 1913, Beulah Louise Henry of Charlotte, North Carolina, received a patent for an improved bag with a covering that could be easily changed to match clothing of different colors.

On April 6, 1901, Lady Blanche Cumming Shiells of Neenah, Wisconsin, patented a novel darning last. Egg-shaped and fitted with several shallow concavities to suit holes of different sizes, her design made it easier to stretch the fabric and guide the needle.

On April 21, 1931, Celia and Isadore Broudy of Detroit, Michigan, patented a register filter designed to attach easily to a hot-air register and remove dust and other particles from the air passing through.

On January 31, 1894, Célia-Mattison Smith of Tompkins, New York, received a patent for a new toy. Her invention was a stuffed animal model made from three fabric pieces sewn together and filled with a suitable material to give the toy its shape (here illustrated by a cat).

On August 31, 1926, Champe Geraldine Fitzhugh of Washington DC patented a novel table and book rest designed especially for use on a bed. Her invention clamped securely to a bed rail and adjusted easily, allowing it to function either as a tilted reading stand with a page-holding spring or as a flat, stable table for meals or writing.

On December 18, 1928, Charity Smith of Ithaca, New York, patented an improved “rag doll” design. Her method used specially shaped, pre-printed fabric patterns with dart seams to create natural curves at the elbows, knees, and neck — producing lifelike, easily made stuffed figures without the bulky gathers of earlier dolls.

On January 16, 1923, Claudia Korp, a resident of Robinson, Illinois, was granted a patent for inventing an innovative auxiliary bed that could be easily folded, arranged, and stored when needed.