Mary Dixon Kies

Mary Dixon Kies was the first woman granted a patent in her own name in the United States. Her invention described improvements to the process of stitching and including silk in straw bonnets. Details of the invention were lost in a fire at the patent offices in 1836. The invention was adopted by many, including women and children making straw hats in their home. It was also used extensively by commercial businesses without payment of royalties, and Mary Kies died impoverished. This chapter also includes a description of the process of making straw bonnets that was used at the time.