#017 - The Hatmaker’s Patent

In 1809, Mary Dixon Kies became the first woman in the United States to be granted a patent. Her invention—a method for weaving straw with silk—boosted America’s hatmaking industry at a critical time. This episode explores her life, her quiet courage, and the fragile legacy of the woman who made patent history. Key Themes: • Women in early American innovation • Domestic industry during wartime • Intellectual property and gender • Invisible labor in fashion and textiles Recommended Reading: • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Early patent records • Notable American Women (Harvard Press) • “The First Woman to Get a U.S. Patent” – National Archives blog