Mary Dixon Kies (March 21, 1752 – 1837) was an American inventor. On May 5, 1809, her patent for a new technique of weaving straw with silk and thread to make hats was signed by President James Madison.[1]

Some sources say she was the first woman to receive a US Patent,[2][3] however other sources cite Hannah Slater in 1793,[4][5][6] or Hazel Irwin, who received a patent for a cheese press in 1808,[7][4] as the first.

Biography

Family life

Mary's father, John Dixon, was a farmer born in 1679 in Ulster, Ireland. Her mother, Janet Kennedy, was John Dixon's third wife. They had married in Voluntown, Connecticut on August 7, 1741.

Mary Dixon was born in Killingly, Connecticut on March 21, 1752. She married Isaac Pike I, and in 1770 they had a son, Isaac Pike II. After his death she married John Kies (1750–1813) who died on August 18, 1813, at age 63. She then lived with her second son, Daniel Kies, in Brooklyn, New York, until her death at age 85 in 1837.[8]

Invention

Because of the Napoleonic Wars, the United States had embargoed all trade with France and Great Britain, creating a need for American-made hats to replace European millinery. The straw-weaving industry filled the gap, with over $500,000 ($9 million in today's money) worth of straw bonnets produced in Massachusetts alone in 1810.[9]

In 1808, Kies filed her patent application, detailing her innovative process for weaving straw with silk or thread. She meticulously described her techniques, emphasizing the unique qualities and advantages of her invention. The application included drawings and specifications, providing clear visual and technical explanations of her method.

Kies's patent application underwent a rigorous review process. Examiners assessed the novelty, originality, and usefulness of her invention, ensuring that it met the criteria for patent protection. Mary Kies received her patent on May 5, 1809, for a new technique of weaving straw with silk and thread to make hats.[1][10]

The hats produced with this technique were sturdier than others, because Kies’ method of using silk instead of straws in the seam held the cross-hatching together. Also, the hat-making method she introduced was highly cost-effective; thus, a lot of businesses in the hat-manufacturing market adopted it, after Kies’ patent was burned in the fire of the Patent Office in 1836.[11]

Even though there was an estimated profit of $500,00 (now worth $4.7 million) made from straw hat manufacturing, Kies made very little profit from her sales.[12][13]

Prior to Kies's invention, straw hats were often considered to be plain and unfashionable. However, Kies's method of weaving straw with silk or thread made it possible to create hats that were both stylish and durable. This led to a surge in popularity for straw hats, and Kies's invention is credited with revitalizing the New England hat industry.[14]

Recognition

Mary Kies, an American inventor, received recognition for her ingenuity and contributions to the hat industry both during her lifetime and after her death.

During her lifetime, Kies's invention was widely praised for its practicality and ingenuity. First Lady Dolley Madison personally congratulated Kies on her invention, which was also featured in several newspapers and magazines, highlighting its significance.[15]

After her death, Kies's legacy continued to be honored. She was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006,[16] recognizing her groundbreaking invention and its impact on the hat industry. Additionally, a monument was erected in her honor in Old South Killingly Cemetery in 1965, serving as a permanent tribute to her accomplishments.[17] Kies's story continues to inspire inventors and innovators of all ages, demonstrating the power of creativity and perseverance. She is a testament to how women can breakthrough hurdles in innovation and fix everyday problems just as effectively as men. Mary Kies is known today as the woman who saved the New England hat industry, and her skill and intelligence will never be forgotten.

Mary Kies's invention stands as a testament to her ingenuity and her contributions to the fashion industry. Her groundbreaking method revolutionized straw hat-making, elevating straw hats from ordinary accessories to stylish and sought-after fashion items. Kies's legacy continues to inspire inventors and innovators, demonstrating the power of creativity and the potential of transformative ideas.

Impact

Mary Kies's impact on society today is multifaceted, encompassing economic, social, and intellectual spheres. Her invention, a process for weaving straw with silk or thread, revitalized the New England hat industry, stimulating economic growth and establishing the United States as a major producer of straw hats. Her innovation also transformed straw hats from utilitarian accessories into stylish fashion items, influencing fashion trends and individual style choices. Additionally, Kies's success as an inventor and patent holder challenged gender stereotypes, paving the way for women's increased participation in innovation and inspiring future generations of innovators. Her legacy highlights the importance of intellectual property rights, protecting inventors' work and encouraging innovation.

References

  1. ^ a b "Mary Kies Became the First Woman to Receive a U.S. Patent". America's Story from America's Library. Library of Congress. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  2. ^ Blakemore, Erin. "Meet Mary Kies, America's First Woman to Become a Patent Holder". Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "First Women Inventors | History of American Women". www.womenhistoryblog.com. January 3, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Progress and Potential: A profile of women inventors on U.S. patents United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  5. ^ "Women Inventors | History Detectives | PBS". www.pbs.org. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  6. ^ "10 Key Dates in Women's History: The Early Modern Period". Britannica Blog. Encyclopædia Britannica. March 10, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  7. ^ “Not for Ornament”: Patenting Activity by Nineteenth-Century Women Inventors”, by B. Zorina Khan, Journal of Interdisciplinary History, xxxi:2 (Autumn, 2000), 159–195.
  8. ^ "Mary (Dixon) Kies, America's First Female Patent Holder". Archived from the original on April 27, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007.
  9. ^ "May 5, 1809: Hats Off to First U.S. Woman Patent-Holder". Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  10. ^ "HER INVENTIVE GENIUS; How Lovely Woman Is on Record in the Patent Office. MRS. MARY KIES HEADS THE LIST IN 1809 A Colored Woman's Patent – A See-Saw Washing Machine – Inventions Useful and Amusing". The New York Times. June 9, 1895. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  11. ^ "Inventor Monday: Mary Dixon Kies". May 6, 2013.
  12. ^ "Mary Kies". November 2011.
  13. ^ "NIHF Inductee Mary Kies Transformed the Hat Making Industry".
  14. ^ a b c d Magazine, Smithsonian; Blakemore, Erin. "Meet Mary Kies, America's First Woman to Become a Patent Holder". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  15. ^ "Young and Brave: Girls Changing History". Nwhm.org. Archived from the original on May 5, 2017. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "Women of Innovation | National Inventors Hall of Fame". Invent.org. November 21, 2013. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  17. ^ "Killingly Historical and Genealogical Society - Mary (Dixon) Kies". www.killinglyhistorical.org. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
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