Lyda D. Newman

Lyda D. Newman was a patented African American inventor and involved activist for women's suffrage. She is known for the invention of a durable hair brush.[1]

Lyda D. Newman
NationalityAmerican
Occupationinventor and activist
Known forbeing an activist for women's suffrage and creating a hairbrush that could be taken apart for cleaning and very durable


Early Life and General Background

Newman was born approximately between 1865 and 1885 in Ohio,[1] but there is no information regarding her exact day of birth or death.[2]

She spent the majority of her life living and working in Manhattan, specifically in the neighborhood San Juan Hill.[2] Records indicate that she may have been of mixed race as she was cited interchangeably recording her race as mulatto and black on various papers.[2] Newman was an active New York City community member and organizer for women's suffrage throughout the early 20th century.[2][3]


Patent and Invention

In the late 1800s, Newman invented a hairbrush that could be taken apart easily for cleaning because it contained a compartment at the bottom that could be removed from the back and be cleaned.[4][5][6] The U.S. Patent 614,335[7] was filed on July 11, 1898 and granted on November 15, 1898. The hairbrush she invented is described in her patent as "simple and durable in construction" and being "very effective when in use". [7] See gallery for diagram of the hairbrush.

Activism

As well as creating her patented invention, Lyda Newman also worked for women's suffrage throughout the late 19th century and early 20th century. As a suffragist, she spent her time canvasing throughout neighborhoods in New York City and even hosted street meetings to educate passing people. [3] To help the New York Woman Suffrage Party, Newman started the Negro Suffrage Headquarters in Manhattan. [3] [2]

In 1924, seven years after women's suffrage was achieved in the year 1917, Lyda Newman can be found on the 51st election district for New York City voter list as a registered voter. [2]


  • The hairbrush invented by Lyda Newman, 1898

References
  1. "Lyda Newman", Biography.com.
  2. Lounsberry, Megan. Biographical Sketch of Lyda Newman. Alexandria: Alexander Street, 2019. Women and Social Movements in the United States,1600-2000 database. Alexander Street.
  3. GALLAGHER, JULIE A. “FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS IN THE 1910s AND 1920s (Excerpt).” 100 Years of Women's Suffrage: A University of Illinois Press Anthology, edited by DAWN DURANTE, by Nancy A. Hewitt, University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Chicago; Springfield, 2019, pp. 123–137. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/j.ctvsf1p2f.11. Accessed 5 May 2020.
  4. David M. Foy (2 February 2012). Great Discoveries and Inventions by African-Americans: Fourth Edition. AuthorHouse. pp. 63–64. ISBN 978-1-4685-2435-2.
  5. “RECENTLY PATENTED INVENTIONS.” Scientific American, vol. 79, no. 23, 1898, pp. 364–364. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26119071. Accessed 5 May 2020.
  6. "Lyda Newman". Famous Women Inventors. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  7. Newman, Lyda D. BRUSH. 14 Nov. 1898.


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