Welcome to the Mary Kenner Hub! This community hub — built on top of and serving as a companion to the Wikipedia article — lets you discuss, collect, and organize everything related to Mary Kenner.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner, an American inventor best known for her
adjustable sanitary belt and other household inventions, passed away at the age
of 93 in Washington, D.C. Her death marked the end of a life dedicated to
innovation, despite facing racial discrimination that hindered her commercial
success. Her legacy includes five patents, the most held by a Black woman at the
time of her death.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was born in Monroe, North Carolina. This marked
the beginning of the life of an inventor who would overcome racial barriers to
secure five patents for her creations.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was born in Monroe, North Carolina, into a family with a rich history of invention. Her father, Sidney Nathaniel Davidson, was himself an inventor, holding a patent for a clothes press. This early exposure to innovation fostered Mary's own inventive spirit from a young age.
Early Inventive Inclination
Early Years
Even as a child, Mary showed a keen interest in problem-solving and inventing. She spent her time disassembling and reassembling objects, trying to understand how they worked and improve upon them. One notable childhood "invention" was a self-oiling door hinge, demonstrating her early aptitude for engineering solutions.
Navigating the Great Depression and Racial Segregation
1920s-1930s
Mary's early adulthood was significantly impacted by the Great Depression and the pervasive racial segregation of the time. These circumstances created significant financial challenges and limited opportunities for her to fully pursue her inventive passions. Despite these obstacles, she continued to develop her ideas and seek ways to bring them to fruition.
Invention of the Sanitary Belt
1950s
Mary Kenner invented the sanitary belt in the 1920s, but it wasn't until the 1950s that she was able to afford a patent. Her adjustable sanitary belt was a groundbreaking invention designed to provide greater comfort and prevent leaks, offering a more hygienic and reliable solution than existing methods during menstruation. The belt featured a moisture-proof napkin pocket.
Rejection Due to Race
1950s
Despite the clear benefits of her sanitary belt, a company that initially expressed interest in manufacturing it rejected the idea upon learning that Kenner was African American. This incident highlighted the significant racial discrimination prevalent during that era and the barriers faced by Black inventors.
Patent for Sanitary Belt
1959
Mary Kenner finally secured a patent for her sanitary belt in 1959. This marked a significant milestone in her journey as an inventor, officially recognizing her innovative design and granting her exclusive rights to its production and sale. She later created several variations of her design.
Continued Innovation
Later Inventions
Kenner didn't stop with the sanitary belt. Over the years, she accumulated a total of five patents, including one for a carrier attachment for invalid walkers and another for a bath and back washer. Her inventions reflected a desire to improve the lives of people with disabilities and enhance everyday convenience.
Patent for Carrier Attachment for Invalid Walkers
1976
Kenner patented a carrier attachment for invalid walkers in 1976. This invention allowed individuals using walkers to easily carry items such as purses, bags, or other personal belongings, improving their mobility and independence.
Death
January 13, 2006
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner passed away on January 13, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of ingenuity and perseverance. Despite facing significant challenges due to her race and gender, she remained committed to her inventive pursuits and made valuable contributions to improving personal hygiene and assistive devices.
Brief
Known For
Development of the adjustable sanitary belt and other household and personal items. Also, for facing racial discrimination which hindered her ability to capitalize on her inventions.
Key Dates and Places
Born Date: May 17, 1912.
Born Place: Monroe, North Carolina.
Death Date: January 13, 2006.
Death Place: Concord, North Carolina.
Career
Past occupations: Inventor, floral arranger, professional babysitter. She also held various other odd jobs to support herself.
Previous Place of Work: Various places related to her floral arranging and babysitting work. Also, any place she pursued her inventing.
Achievements and Recognition
Awards: While she didn't receive formal awards, her most notable achievement was inventing the adjustable sanitary belt, along with other inventions geared towards hygiene and household use. She holds five patents.
Wikipedia Article
Welcome to the Mary Kenner Hub! This community hub — built on top of and serving as a companion to the Wikipedia article — lets you discuss, collect, and organize everything related to Mary Kenner.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner, an American inventor best known for her
adjustable sanitary belt and other household inventions, passed away at the age
of 93 in Washington, D.C. Her death marked the end of a life dedicated to
innovation, despite facing racial discrimination that hindered her commercial
success. Her legacy includes five patents, the most held by a Black woman at the
time of her death.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was born in Monroe, North Carolina. This marked
the beginning of the life of an inventor who would overcome racial barriers to
secure five patents for her creations.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was born in Monroe, North Carolina, into a family with a rich history of invention. Her father, Sidney Nathaniel Davidson, was himself an inventor, holding a patent for a clothes press. This early exposure to innovation fostered Mary's own inventive spirit from a young age.
Early Inventive Inclination
Early Years
Even as a child, Mary showed a keen interest in problem-solving and inventing. She spent her time disassembling and reassembling objects, trying to understand how they worked and improve upon them. One notable childhood "invention" was a self-oiling door hinge, demonstrating her early aptitude for engineering solutions.
Navigating the Great Depression and Racial Segregation
1920s-1930s
Mary's early adulthood was significantly impacted by the Great Depression and the pervasive racial segregation of the time. These circumstances created significant financial challenges and limited opportunities for her to fully pursue her inventive passions. Despite these obstacles, she continued to develop her ideas and seek ways to bring them to fruition.
Invention of the Sanitary Belt
1950s
Mary Kenner invented the sanitary belt in the 1920s, but it wasn't until the 1950s that she was able to afford a patent. Her adjustable sanitary belt was a groundbreaking invention designed to provide greater comfort and prevent leaks, offering a more hygienic and reliable solution than existing methods during menstruation. The belt featured a moisture-proof napkin pocket.
Rejection Due to Race
1950s
Despite the clear benefits of her sanitary belt, a company that initially expressed interest in manufacturing it rejected the idea upon learning that Kenner was African American. This incident highlighted the significant racial discrimination prevalent during that era and the barriers faced by Black inventors.
Patent for Sanitary Belt
1959
Mary Kenner finally secured a patent for her sanitary belt in 1959. This marked a significant milestone in her journey as an inventor, officially recognizing her innovative design and granting her exclusive rights to its production and sale. She later created several variations of her design.
Continued Innovation
Later Inventions
Kenner didn't stop with the sanitary belt. Over the years, she accumulated a total of five patents, including one for a carrier attachment for invalid walkers and another for a bath and back washer. Her inventions reflected a desire to improve the lives of people with disabilities and enhance everyday convenience.
Patent for Carrier Attachment for Invalid Walkers
1976
Kenner patented a carrier attachment for invalid walkers in 1976. This invention allowed individuals using walkers to easily carry items such as purses, bags, or other personal belongings, improving their mobility and independence.
Death
January 13, 2006
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner passed away on January 13, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of ingenuity and perseverance. Despite facing significant challenges due to her race and gender, she remained committed to her inventive pursuits and made valuable contributions to improving personal hygiene and assistive devices.
Brief
Known For
Development of the adjustable sanitary belt and other household and personal items. Also, for facing racial discrimination which hindered her ability to capitalize on her inventions.
Key Dates and Places
Born Date: May 17, 1912.
Born Place: Monroe, North Carolina.
Death Date: January 13, 2006.
Death Place: Concord, North Carolina.
Career
Past occupations: Inventor, floral arranger, professional babysitter. She also held various other odd jobs to support herself.
Previous Place of Work: Various places related to her floral arranging and babysitting work. Also, any place she pursued her inventing.
Achievements and Recognition
Awards: While she didn't receive formal awards, her most notable achievement was inventing the adjustable sanitary belt, along with other inventions geared towards hygiene and household use. She holds five patents.
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