The early 1800s saw the United States facing import restrictions, especially from England and France due to escalating tensions and eventual conflict. This created a need for domestic alternatives to imported goods, including hats and bonnets. This context served as a catalyst for Mary Dixon Kies’s invention.

Mary Dixon Kies invented a method of weaving straw with silk or thread to create bonnets. This innovative technique provided a practical and cost-effective way to produce fashionable headwear, which was in high demand.

Mary Dixon Kies was granted a patent for her straw-weaving technique. This made her one of the first women in the United States to receive a patent under her own name, highlighting her ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. This patent offered some degree of protection for her invention.