Anna Connelly
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Anna Connelly | |
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| Born | Anna Connelly Unknown Philadelphia, Known to live in Pennsylvania around 1877 |
| Died | Unknown Unknown |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Unknown, possibly self-educated |
| Occupation | Inventor |
Anna Connelly was an American woman inventor who lived between 1800 and 1900 in Pennsylvania[1]. She was the first person to invent the predecessor of the modern outdoor fire escape. Thanks to her invention, numerous lives have been saved which is why it remains to be a crucial safety component in modern buildings. She made history by being one of the first women in the US to submit a patent application without a man's help[2].
Context
Following the Civil War, America's demographics underwent a significant shift. The amount of people migrating from rural to urban regions rose exponentially. This migration fueled the expansion of American cities such as New York and Philadelphia. The expansion, led to an increase in the construction of taller and more crowded buildings. It did, however, raise new safety concerns[3]. There was a rising need for innovative strategies to avoid fire mishaps that would enable people to flee in an emergency as the risk of fires became a serious concern to the safety of those living and working in such cities. At the time, f ire escapes were frequently poorly built and difficult to use. They were mainly made of simple ladders or ropes tied to the sides of buildings. Anna Connelly was aware of the issue and saw the need for a better solution. She was determined to create an effective fire escape design that could be widely adopted to improve building safety in cities.
Invention
On May 13, 1877, in Philadelphia, Anna filed a patent application; and on August 23 of the same year, she officially obtained his first patent: Fire-escape, No. 368,816A [4]. Her design was safer and more reliable. It consisted of a series of metal platforms attached to the side of a building and connected by a series of ladders. Anna made sure the platforms on her design were wide enough to allow people to move easily and she incorporated had handrails to prevent falls[5]. Anna’s fire escape design quickly gained popularity and was soon installed in many buildings across the country. Today, fire escapes remain an essential safety feature in buildings. Although her design has evolved over the years, with improvements such as wider platforms, better materials and automatic alarms, Connelly's original concept remains at the core of fire escape technology.
Impact
Her legacy goes beyond the invention of the fire escape. She was a woman ahead of her time, who defied gender norms and pursued her passion for innovation despite the obstacles of her time. Her invention is a witness to the power of innovation and how a single person can have a big impact the world by solving the needs of society. Despite her critical role to fire safety and innovation, Connelly's legacy is seldom recognized to the general public. Even so, it is crucial to note that it does not reduce Anna's effect on society. With more recognition and understanding, Anna Connelly's contributions to fire safety and the growth of women in the realm of invention will hopefully be recognized and honored.
Footnotes
References
- ↑ A Celebration of Anna Connelly – Living Fires. (2022, March 3). Living Fires. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://livingfires.co.uk/2022/03/03/a-celebration-of-anna-connelly/
- ↑ Women's History Month: Celebrating Innovation. (n.d.). Inventionland. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://inventionland.com/blog/womens-history-month-celebrating-innovation/
- ↑ lhsittig. (2016, June 1). Anna Connelly: Lifesaver by Linda Harris Sittig | Strong Women In History. Strong Women In History. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://strongwomeninhistory.wordpress.com/2016/06/01/anna-connelly-lifesaver-by-linda-harris-sittig/
- ↑ Kelly, K. (2022, October 12). The Invention of the Fire Escape. America Comes Alive. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://americacomesalive.com/the-invention-of-the-fire-escape/
- ↑ Fire Escapes and Feminism, the First Fire Escape Invented by a Woman. (n.d.). East Coast Fire Escapes. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.eastcoastfireescapes.com/fire-escapes-and-eminism-the-irst-ire-escape-invented-by-a-woman/#.ZCdvWS-B1QI
External links
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