AUSTRALIA'S WOMAN INVENTOR

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 249, 18 March 1916, Page 7

AUSTRALIA'S WOMAN INVENTOR

MRS MYRA JL’LIKT TAA LOR. That trite phrase, “A frrophet hath no glory in his own land’ was never so strikingly illustrated as in the case of Mrs Myra Juliet Taylor. Tnis remarkable little lady might justly claim to be the most versatile woman in tile Commonwealth of Australia, yet she dwells in our midst unknown, almost in obscurity. This in a measure, is owing to the lady’s shrinking from publicity, and reluctance to speak of herself and her doings, and her present small venture into the limelight is due to her strong patriotic sentiments. Mrs Taylor is a practical inventress; her registered patents are the source of her income. She is a widow with a young family to support. There are 24 inventions to her credit, but her latest achievement takes pride of place, a “defence fence," which is said to be invulnerable. It is some two months sine * this invention was perfected and patented, and it is now under the consideration of the Defence Department, which authority, after much investigation, admits it is all Mrs Taylor claims for it —ritie, shell, and machine-gun proof. Simplified Garments. Another most remarkable invention is her “stitchless button." It is recognised that this will prove a universal boon when placed upon the market. No longer nn d th** harassed housekeeper worry about the buttonless garments returned from the laundry. The “stitchless button" dispenses with the attentions of needle and thread, nor does it require the faking of a button-hole. In this department might also be mentioned two other labour-savers to the seamstress —the “stitchless press stud” and the “stitchless hook and eve.” The military authorities have also th** “stitchless button” under considera tion for adoption on the soldiers’ uniforms. Yet another appliance to.appeal to the needlewoman is ‘ m>chaniral skirt and pattern-marker,’ which w ill mark and measure any pattern or size skirt from any fashion plate, and when th eskirt is cut out will mark the required length, width < ♦ hem, and mark off for trimoaing in a few seconds. The appliance will adjust itself to any mode and any size.

Something r that makes a direct appeal to the feminine world is the “camisole stayette,’’ or boneless corset, a garment which is so constructed as to perfect a good figure and improve a bad one, and ensure ease, whilst conforming to every rule of hygiene. The “camisole stayette’ is now being manufactured in England, and will shortly be upon the Australian market. Closely associated with this 1- the medical and surgical belt, for use after operations, which has the wrPte 1 approval of ten leading doctors. Devices in the Home. Then there is her linoleum clip for putting down the door covering without tacking. A wheat sampler and weigher, a fru.t picker and packer, which was tested upon the most dilbcult of all fruit to handle- mulberries, and effects its work perfectly. The fn_ ,; * is unbruised and hands need not touch it. An automatic window, which open- and closes by pressure upon a button ; a collapsible rigtd and folding hood, which can be made to fit any vehicle. Its ingenious utility is admirably illustrated on a baby's perambulator. It affords perfect protection from any kind of weather and allows of free* ventilation—an automatic air purifier and cooler, w hich can be adjusted to anv require - merits. Its principle is a form of condensation. The Patent Attorney pronounces thi> a master invention, and state's that hitherto there has been no record of any invention to make water run up a flat surface. Yet the contrivance appears simple, and is unobtrusive. It creates no wet or damn, nor any sm h discomfort. 11> adoption will dispense with the use of punkahs and electric fans, etc. Dwellers in tropical lands will hail it as a heaven-sent blessing. Another master conception is her advertising apparatus, which automatically throws illuminated words into space. It will be just as effective as the* present disappearing electric signs, and do away with all the permanent structure required for thf'b’ maintenance. An attachable sole, which will tit any boot or shoe, and requires no tacking on, is another of her inventions, as is «iiso a restful railway carriage seat, which will permit of every traveller being assured of comfort during l*is journey. Mrs Taylor is taking this device to America in a few months,

for, as she rather pathetically complains, it is so difficult to get anything done in Australia, and we are so s*ow and cautious about assimilating .. w ideas. Mrs Taylor has jum cau>e for complaint, since it took three* years’ hard work for her to get her first patent made- the* skirt and pattern-marker. She also says that it is even <ll ttic ult to get the Patent Attorney to listen to some of her new ideas. One would expect to find the* person responsible for all this ingenious work to be* rather difficult, but Mrs l’aylor is quite die reverse when one succeeds in making her talk of herself and h♦*r doings. Her manner is simple, kindly, and affable. In appearance, she is essentially feminine, very fair, and plump, with appealing hlu«* eyes and brilliant colouring, w hie h comes and goes as she warms to her subject, and a soft, slow voice. Started Inventing at Five. Her inventive ge nius doc s not 1 nt**rfere with domestic duties. She is a devoted mother, and her two bonny children are her tir"t care and consideration. The elder child, a daughter of seven, has inherited her mother s gift. At the* age of five, to ensure more comfort for her dollies, she iffectevl a contrivance which a Patent Attorney pronounced “an ingenious invention worthy a mature brain.” Mrs Taylor is the- daughter :»f a clergyman, of a very old family, whose Celtic crest dates hack over 900 ye ar-.. She is mm h travelled, knows Ireland and England, and has '.n most parts of all ihe Australian States. The remarkable little* lady has been inventing since she* was a tinv c hild. She* says she always felt a* long us she can remember that she could see and do things which other people could not. Her first invention happened at the age of ter,, when she made a self-fastening safety-pin, and announced to her mystified mother, “1 can do something that you c an’t.” Wither Mr> Taylor nor her people* understood her marvellous gift, and it lay dormant for years. Practically six years e*/ he*r short married life* were spc*nt in constantly nursing an invalid husband. Things Dreams are Made of. No ]e*ss astounding than her achievements is Mrs Taylor’s method of working An idea conies to her from observation, or hint from a

second person. She keeps thinking of it incessantly, and one night the solution comes to her in her sleep. Still sleeping, she gets up and works it out on anything handy, oftentimes the wall. The workings arc all backwards, hut perfectly intelligible to the invent ress. Mrs Taylor makes her own models, and perfects her drawings before submitting them to the Patent Attorney. At present the little lady has only one ambition in hie —the adoption of her defence fence. Sne has absolute faith in its efficacy. A glance at her small model —made entirely by herscll, and a most formidable-looking piece of work for one frail woman to accomplish—justifies that faith. Her anxiety is not born of any thought of the monetary reward—her thoughts are only of all the brave, precious lives she may be the means of preserving. Shields of a kind are nowbeing used by both the Knglish and the Herman armies, as seen in recent “Illustrated War News.” They are crude and primitive alongside this woman's achievement, and can only claim resemblance inasmuch as both are visible. —“The Kvening News,” August 14, 11)15.