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Mothers of Invention Trivia Quiz

Women have had good ideas throughout history, but have not always been able to take the credit for them. Here are a few who have.

A multiple-choice quiz by fringe. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
fringe

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
80,097

Updated
Jun 10 23

# Qns
5

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
3 / 5

Plays
662

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 5

1. Thanks to this amazing lady, modern computers "understand" what we say to them. She believed that computers could be programmed in plain English and invented today's most widely used computer business language (COBOL). Who was she? Hint

Grace Murray Hopper

Rachel Fuller Brown

Katherine Blodgett

Henrietta Ida Hyde

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Question 2 of 5

2. In 1950, this architect and mother came up with an idea to help parents everywhere--the disposable diaper (nappy). What was her name? Hint

Marion Donovan

Sybilla Masters

Elizabeth Lee Hazen

Mildred Austin Smith

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Question 3 of 5

3. Dubbed "The most beautiful girl in the world," which famous film star was awarded a patent in 1942 for the invention of a secret communications system? Hint

Marlene Dietrich

Hedy Lamarr

Mae West

Greta Garbo

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Question 4 of 5

4. This lady had a son and daughter called Ken and Barbara. She was the co-founder of Mattel and in 1959 invented the 'Barbie' doll. What was her name? Hint

Bessie Blount

Frances Gabe

Ruth Handler

Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

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Question 5 of 5

5. In 1914, this New York socialite, under the business name of Caresse Crosby, was awarded the first patent for the modern brassiere. Who was she? Hint

Mary Phelps Jacob

Amanda Theodosia Jones

Sarah Boone

Margaret Knight

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Grace Murray Hopper

'Amazing Grace' was born in 1906 in New York. She was a professor of mathematics and US Naval Officer, as well as a brilliant computer programmer. It is also said that we have her to thank for the term "computer bug," which she coined when her computer broke down due to a moth getting caught in its processor! Unfortunately her work was never patented.

2. In 1950, this architect and mother came up with an idea to help parents everywhere--the disposable diaper (nappy). What was her name?

Answer: Marion Donovan

Marion's first leak-proof diapers were simply made of cloth and lined with pieces of plastic cut from a shower curtain. A completely disposable design soon followed. Unfortunately no manufacturer was interested and she had to start her own company to market them.
Another mother, Maria Allen, invented the original diaper in 1887.

3. Dubbed "The most beautiful girl in the world," which famous film star was awarded a patent in 1942 for the invention of a secret communications system?

Answer: Hedy Lamarr

Together, with composer George Antheil, Hedy came up with the idea of manipulating radio frequencies in transit so that they could not be intercepted or jammed. The system proved particularly useful for the Allied submarines during the second World War.

4. This lady had a son and daughter called Ken and Barbara. She was the co-founder of Mattel and in 1959 invented the 'Barbie' doll. What was her name?

Answer: Ruth Handler

Barbie made her debut at the American Toy Fair in New York City in 1959. Barbie was not Ruth Handler's only invention. In 1970, having undergone a mastectomy following breast cancer, she patented a prosthetic breast called 'Nearly Me.'

5. In 1914, this New York socialite, under the business name of Caresse Crosby, was awarded the first patent for the modern brassiere. Who was she?

Answer: Mary Phelps Jacob

The fashion of the day called out for much softer underwear than the whalebone corsets which had imprisoned women's bodies for over 350 years. Having purchased a sheer evening gown and realising that the corset was not a suitable undergarment for it, Mary experimented with pink ribbon and silk handkerchiefs until the modern bra was born!

Source: Author fringe

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