In 1912, American inventor Beulah Louise Henry patented a vacuum-sealed ice cream freezer, marking the beginning of a career that would earn her the nickname “Lady Edison”. Her design improved on earlier ice cream-making technology, including Nancy M. Johnson’s hand-cranked freezer patented in 1843. Henry went on to develop more than 100 inventions and received 49 United States patents during her lifetime. Her work included innovations in sewing machines, typewriters, umbrellas, dolls and other everyday products. Largely self-educated, Henry was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006 for her inventive achievements.
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