US

On December 18, 1928, Haruko Saito of Tokyo patented a wire comb made by bending and twisting metal into evenly spaced teeth. Shaped like a folding fan, the tempered steel comb was strong, elastic, and held bobbed hair securely in place.

On August 10, 1901, Helen A. Blanchard of Portland, Maine, patented an improved machine specifically designed for sewing sweatbands to the reed holders of hats. Her invention operated without the use of a needle, which would have been detrimental to the sewing process.

On April 16, 1912, Helen F. Trowbridge of Port Washington, New York, was granted a patent for innovations in soft toy design. Her invention introduced a novel method of stuffing toys to help maintain their shape while also addressing sanitary concerns.

On December 24, 1946, Ilona Taussky of New York was awarded a patent for a novel process to purify and hydrogenate fats, fatty acids, and waxes. Her method used small amounts of spent metal catalysts, bleaching agents, and hydrogen to remove impurities and produce higher quality oils and waxes.

On November 23, 1926, India M. Lee of Chicago, Illinois, was awarded a patent for a novel vanity box. Her invention featured multiple compartments, a cushion, and an interior mirror, providing women with a convenient accessory for their daily beauty routine.

On January 29, 1935, Isabella B. Romans of Tuckahoe, New York, was granted a patent for a method to prevent and remove slime buildup on condenser surfaces in power plants. The process used chloramines instead of chlorine to disinfect circulating water, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.

On May 14, 1946, Isabella B. Romans was granted a patent for a swimming pool purification system that also provided an improved antiseptic foot bath. Her design used disinfected pool water to maintain a constant antiseptic concentration in the foot bath, ensuring sanitation, convenience, and reduced maintenance.

On August 14, 1900, Isabella Miller of Union Ridge, West Virginia, was granted a patent for a novel awning designed to protect the roof and sides of a building from the sun.

On November 6, 1917, Jadwiga Kuczynska of Hooversville, Pennsylvania, patented a novel coin bank for holding coins of a single denomination. It displayed the total amount saved at a glance and could only be opened automatically once completely filled.

On December 12, 1911, Janan Lahl of Atlantic, Iowa, patented an adjustable head-rest for bath tubs. Formed from a single piece of spring wire, the device gripped the tub securely while allowing a cushioned pillow to slide along the frame without screws or fasteners.