Lyda A. Newman, an African American inventor and women’s rights activist in New York City, was granted U.S. Patent No. 614,335 for an innovative hairbrush design. Her invention featured synthetic bristles and a detachable compartment, allowing for easy cleaning—a major advancement in personal grooming tools.
Newman’s design laid the groundwork for modern hairbrushes and marked her as one of the few Black female inventors of the 19th century to receive a U.S. patent.
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