During the nineteenth century, women received less than 1% of all United States patents. Out of Hagley’s large patent model collection of about 5,000 models, there are currently 68 invented by women which supports this statistic.
Of these patent models laundry-related patents are the largest category. Other are related to food, furniture, shoes, textile-related including sewing machines, medical, stoves, marine and horse-related items such as a stirrup.