MARGARET ELOISE KNIGHT

BORN

York, Maine, U.S.

Date

FEB 14 1838

DIED

Framingham, Massachusetts, U.S.

DATE

OCT 12 1914

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

19TH CENTURY MAINE, USA

EASTERN PAPER BAG COMPANY

WOMAN ON HORSE CARRIAGE

The most famous
least known
19th century inventor.

Knight’s significant contribution to invention earned her this title. In 1870, she established the Eastern Paper Bag Company, which specialized in manufacturing paper bags for groceries. These bags resembled the ones commonly used in subsequent generations, highlighting the foresight and innovation of Knight’s design.

YEARS OLD

FIRST INVENTION AT

REGISTERED PATENTS

AT LEAST

INVENTIONS

OVER

Proficient and prolific.

Throughout her career, Knight secured numerous patents across various fields, showcasing her versatility and ingenuity as an inventor.

Her achievements not only advanced technological progress but also served as a symbol of empowerment for women in a predominantly male-dominated field.

Margaret Eloise Knight’s legacy endures as a testament to the transformative potential of innovation and the pivotal role of women in shaping history, particularly in the realm of invention and entrepreneurship.

LEGACY

her life and legacy as a pioneering inventor and advocate for women’s rights highlight the challenges and triumphs experienced by female innovators throughout history.

Despite facing limitations and biases due to her gender, Knight’s determination, ingenuity, and resilience propelled her to achieve remarkable success in the male-dominated field of invention.

Knight’s own reflections late in life underscore the barriers she encountered as a female inventor and her longing for equal opportunities. In an era when women held only a small fraction of patents, Knight’s groundbreaking achievements stood as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of inventors.

Dubbed the “The LadyEdison” in her obituary, Knight’s contributions to innovation were recognized as on par with those of the renowned inventor Thomas Edison. Her leadership among women and her role as an example for women’s rights activists and suffragettes further solidified her place in history.

Knight’s groundbreaking work on the flat-bottomed paper bag machine remains her most celebrated invention. While her bags differed from modern designs, their widespread adoption revolutionized the packaging industry, replacing traditional materials like cloth sacks, crates, and boxes.

An inspiring
story

Knight’s induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006 and the display of a scaled-down patent model of her bag-making machine in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., serve as lasting tributes to her enduring legacy and the significant impact of her inventions. Margaret Knight’s remarkable journey serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and supporting the contributions of women in innovation and the ongoing quest for gender equality in STEM fields. Her story continues to inspire and empower individuals to pursue their passions and break barriers in the pursuit of knowledge and progress.