The Mother of Invention

Throughout history, there has been an invention for almost every need. Sometimes, the product was the result of something that preceded it, such as the very helpful vaccines that were instrumental in eliminating deadly diseases, and then we have the soft drink company that came out with a turkey and gravy flavored soda in 2003. Now there's something we really needed! Turkey and gravy flavored soda---my life is finally complete!

The legacy, and perhaps even the destiny, of the human animal, seems to be that we take pride in our adaptability and inventiveness, even bask in its glow. The scientific name for modern man himself decries our arrogance: "homo sapiens sapiens", which means "milk so good, it's purified twice". No, actually it means something every bit as self- aggrandizing: "the smart, smart man". Notice there's no mention of women in that. The genus is "man", as if women were either an afterthought, or of no importance. Can they sue for false advertising?

Of course, this is ridiculous, but many men either don't know or care that Marie Curie made many important strides in science after the death of her husband, discovering radium and improving x-rays. Harriet Tracy developed the safety elevator, even though that fellow Otis got the credit. Actress Hedy Lamarr developed a communications code system in 1941 for the allied forces that was never broken down by the enemy. Mary Anderson invented the automotive windshield wiper in 1905. Actress Julie Newmar, famous for playing The Catwoman on the old "Batman" show, developed the modern pantyhose. Police officers should be reminded that Stephanie Louise Kwolek invented Kevlar in 1966.