Mary Kenner
American inventor (1912–2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner (May 17, 1912 – January 13, 2006) was an African American inventor who created an adjustable sanitary belt.[1] to keep menstrual pads securely in place. She has been granted five patents in between 1956 and 1987, one of the highest totals awarded to an African American female inventor[2]. All of her inventions provided solutions to common household and personal care issues; including improving menstrual hygiene products[3].
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner | |
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| Born | May 17, 1912 Monroe, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | January 13, 2006 (aged 93) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Occupation | Florist |
| Known for | singing, inventions |
| Parent | Sidney Nathaniel Davidson |
| Relatives | Mildred Davidson Austin Smith |
Early life, Education, and Career
Kenner was born in Monroe, North Carolina[4]. Her father, Sidney Nathaniel Davison, had patented a compact clothing presser in 1914.[5] Her maternal grandfather, Robert Phromeberger, held patents for a tricolor light signals for trains and a wheeled ambulance stretcher.[6] Her sister, Mildred Davidson Austin Smith would go on to hold a patent for a family board game in 1980.[7] At age six Kenner tried to create a self oiling door hinge because every morning she heard the squeak of the front door.[8] After moving to Washington, DC in 1924 Kenner became familiarized with the USPTO and the filing patent applications.[9]
Kenner attended Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. graduating in 1931.[10] Kenner enrolled at Howard University however left after 18 months of schooling due to financial reasons.[11] Kenner never earned a college degree nor formal education or training in her profession.[12]
After leaving Howard University, Kenner worked various jobs before becoming unemployed by federal government during WWII.[13] By 1950 Kenner became a professional florist and ran multiple flower shops in the Washington, D.C. area for around 20 years. [14] During this time, she continued to develop new inventions.[15]
Inventions
Previous designs for managing menstruation included cloth pads and early disposable products. However, many of these designs lacked secure fasteners resulting in pad shifting and leakage.[16] Disposable adhesive pads were not widely available until the 1970s. [17] Initially, Kenner designed a sanitary belt in the 1920s however could not afford to apply for a patent.[18] She filed for a patent in 1954 and it was approved in 1956.[19]The device consisted of an adjustable waist band with straps attached to secure a sanitary pad to the user. This allowed users to move about while maintaining proper placement of the pad and lessened leakage and irritation caused by previous products.[20] A subsequent revision modified the design to include a pocket resistant to moisture to minimize further leakage.[21]
Sonn-Nap-Pack Co. contacted Kenner regarding potential licensing agreements for the sale of the product. When they learned that she was Black, they rescinded their offer.[22] Kenner stated of the incident: "I was so jubilant... I saw houses, cars, and everything about to come my way. Sorry to say, when they found out I was Black, their interest dropped." [23] Due to the fact that the patent expired and entered the public domain, Kenner lost all rights to profit off of the design. [24].
In 1976, Kenner applied for and was granted a patent for an attachment to walkers and wheelchairs containing a hard surface tray and soft storage pocket.[25] This invention was partially inspired by her sister Mildred being diagnosed with multiple scelerosis.[26] Kenner co-patented a bathroom tissue holder with her sister in 1982.[27] On September 29, 1987 Kenner was granted her last patent for a back washer that can be installed onto either a shower or bathtub wall.[28]
Legacy
Kenner's sanitary belt introduced adjustable securing mechanisms and moisture resistance into menstrual product design.[29] The belt itself became obsolete following the widespread adoption of adhesive sanitary pads in the 1970s, however the core features it introduced; adjustability, secure pad placement, and moisture control were carried forward into modern menstrual products.[30] Disposable pads with adhesive backing, which became the global standard for menstrual hygiene, reflect developments that Kenner's designs helped establish.[31] Kenner received no formal awards or public recognition during her lifetime.[32] She died on January 13, 2006 in Washington D.C. at the age of 93.[33]