4 New (and Amazing) Inventions by Women
June 14th will be a big day for women. The first ever Women in Industrial Design Show will be coming to San Francisco Design Week, and will highlight the work of female industrial designers at all different levels throughout the United States. Sponsored by the Industrial Designers Society of America, the one-night show will include a panel of industry names such as Kate Freebairn of Amazon, Ti Chang of Crave, and Shannon Fong of Smart Design. Chances are, this will probably be a tradition that lasts for years to come, since women are emerging in the field at a rapid speed. Plus, it’s about time, right? Here are a some great new inventions by women today—a few of which will be featured at the event.
The Ortho-Dialpak by Martha Davis
Davis, a 15-year veteran of industrial design, was approached to help make the typical birth control packet easier to use, more discreet, and environmentally friendly. Some of the Dialpak’s new features include a one-way dial mechanism marked with days of the week so that the package is always set to dial to the next dose.
Willow Prototype Dog Wheelchair by Kellee Kimbro
Kimbro set out to improve upon the long-overlooked doggy wheelchair. Her invention helps increase a dog’s comfort-level, and is easier for pet owners to use. It contains fewer parts than traditional wheelchairs, allowing the dog to move around more easily, leading to higher levels of physical and mental health.
Kimbro is the lead designer at NOOKA Inc in NYC, working with fashion accessories, wearable computing, and futuristic concepts. And, of course, she’s a big fan of dogs.
Moji Knee Wrap by Liz Daily
Most knee icing products require the user to remain immobile. Daily set out to change that by inventing the Moji knee wrap—the first knee wrap that flexes with a person’s the natural range of motion, allowing for more movement. It definitely made a difference to those who needed a more practical method of relief.
In her work, Daily mixes traditional industrial design methods with a knowledge of construction techniques and fabric technology. For the knee wrap, she collaborated with doctors, athletes, and physical therapists to fine-tune the product.
Stick-lets by Christina Kazakia
Kazakia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Product Design and Economics from Lehigh University, and soon developed an interest in human-centered products.
After chatting with some friends about how her childhood memories mostly involved the outdoors, Kazakia realized that children today might not be able to have the same type of experience. Thus, the idea for an interactive toy was born.
“It should trigger a direct relationship with nature by giving children the freedom to manipulate, construct, and design their own experiences,” she said about Stick-lets. “Since classic toys such as building blocks are still a big hit; why not take the free play outside?”
Stick-lets are weather resistant, reusable silicone joints that allow kids to design, explore, and—most importantly— build forts.
If you’re in the San Francisco area and want to attend the show, here’s where you can buy a ticket online.
