Black History fact #5: Mary Kenner

What's going on, everybody. Welcome to a another a day with crime, black history month fact edition. Of course I am your man, David. Let's jump in. Today's fact is coming by way of my wife. Who wanted me to cover this one. So this one is for you Beth. Today, we're going to talk about the woman that actually 

had the hand in inventing a product for women out there, Mary Kenner.[00:01:00] 

Mary Patrice Davidson Kenner. Was an African-American inventer most noted for her improvement of the adjustable sanitary belt. Although racial discrimination, cost her patent for the sanitary built to be prevented for two years which is 1954 to 1956. A falsified claim of her Patton being denied for 30 years. 

Has been cited that would make her 14 years old during development. Which is untrue. It is well-documented based off of us patent applications. 

 Let's learn a little bit more about Mary Kenner and her invention, and what actually happened to it. And for those of you that don't know what it is. I will explain what it actually is later on, but I'm sure the ladies listening already know. Mary Kenner was born May 17th 

1912 in Charlotte, North Carolina. [00:02:00] And came from a family of inventors.

Her father, whom she credited for her initial interest in discovery, was Sidney Nathaniel Davidson. Who was born in June of 1890, and he passed away in November of 1958. In his lifetime he patented a clothing press, which would fit in suitcases. Though he ultimately made no money on the invention. Her father also patented a window washer for trains and invented a stretcher with wheels for ambulances. 

Her grandfather invented a light signal for trains, though this invention was stolen from him by a white man. Her sister Mildred Davidson Austin Smith. Who lived from 1916 to 1993. Invented patented and commercially sold board games. This is a lot of stuff. Some of these things I didn't know. 

 Right here in this family. [00:03:00] We got a clothing press, which fit in suitcases. You know, we got window washers for trains, and the stretcher with wheels for ambulance. So, if you ever took a ride on a stretcher from ambulance, It was invented by an African American. Who just so happened to be Sidney Nathaniel Davidson, Mary Kenner's father. 

And then on top of all that. Her sister Mildred invented board games. 

Mary graduated from high school in 1931. She attended the Howard university. Although she was unable to finish due to financial difficulties. Mary did not receive any college degree or professional training. Women at that time were kept out of scientific establishment or academic institutions. Kenner and her family moved to Washington DC. 

When she was young and here is where she stayed, to keep [00:04:00] updating on her opportunities, to have her ideas patented at the United States patent and trademark office. 

All right so from there, let's talk a little bit about what she actually did invent. 

Mary Kenner invented an adjustable sanitary belt. With an inbuilt moister proof napkin pocket. She completed the patent application for her invention in 1954. In 1956, the application was approved. 

The invention was described as an eliminator for chafing and irritation normally caused by devices of its class. However, the company that first showed interest in her invention, the Sonn nap pack company. Rejected it after they discovered that she was African-American. Mary never made any money from the sanitary belt because her patent expired and became public domain, 

allowing it to be manufactured freely. [00:05:00] She later invented a modification of the sanitary belt. That included a moisture resistant pocket. 

In an interview. Mary Kenner said one day I was contacted by a company that expressed an interest. And marketing my idea. I was so jubilant. I saw houses, cars, and everything about to come to my way. Representative made their way to Washington to speak with Mary. And she continues to explain that they had rejected her by saying. 

Sorry to say, when they found out I was black. their interest dropped. The representative went back to New York and informed me the company, was no longer interested. 

So let's stop there. before I give you her last inventions. Just to kind of give you what an adjustable sanitary belt was. Apparently. This belt as was told to me by my wife. I guess these napkins, [00:06:00] which we know today as Maxi pads. 

 She said they came in this big cardboard box, but she never knew that there was a belt. Because I guess her mom never told her there was one. Until one day her sister told her. Uh, yeah, there's a belt and here's how it works.

 The problem with sanitary napkins back then is I guess they moved around and ladies did not like that. 

So Mary Kenner invented a belt. That the sanitary napkin would actually slide into and then the build the lady would, where which would keep that from sliding around? That was used for many, many, many, many years until the adhesive stripped was built to where it was stick. To the females undergarment and that became favored among women at that point. 

And then by that time, The belted sanitary napkin quickly disappeared. But Mary Kenner invented that. [00:07:00] 

So ladies, if you ever use those. That's who you can thank for that? So other ventures was between 1956 and 1987. She received five total patents for her household and personal item creations. She shared the patent on the toilet tissue holder, with her sister Mildred Davidson. She also held a patent on a back washer that could be mounted on the shower or bathtub wall, also known as a backwash. 

This invention was patented in 1987. Which was patent number 4 6 9 6 0 6 8. 

She also patented the carrier attachment for a Walker, in 1959 after Mildred developed multiple sclerosis. Mary worked as a professional floral arranger and have four flower shops scattered around the Washington DC area. She operated the [00:08:00] business for 23 years. After dropping out of college due to financial difficulties. 

During world war two. Mary found a job with the federal government working for the census bureau in general accounting office. She was chaperone younger women to attend military base dances in Washington DC. One night , while chaperoning Mary met and fell in love with a soldier whom she married in 1945. 

They divorced in 1950. In 1951. Mary was married to renowned heavyweight boxer, James Jabbo, Kenner. Together and they lived in McLean, Virginia near the Kennedys complex. They were foster parents to five boys. Unfortunately, she died January 13th, 2006. in Washington DC at the age of 93. It does not say what she passed from. 

 So it looks like we can thank Mary kenner [00:09:00] for a lot of things. So that little toilet paper rod that you have in your bathroom right now that holds up your fresh roll of toilet paper. That was all her. The back washer, even though now they've come in several different forms over the years. Again, belongs to Mary Kenner. 

And the Walker carrier attachment, just to kind of make sure that we are clear on what that is. That is that little bag that you see people have on their walkers, that they can put their glasses and water bottles and all that kind of stuff in. That was called a carrier attachment. That was all Mary Kenner, trying to make life easier for her sister. And for others that may be suffering from multiple sclerosis. 

and other ailments. 

So Mary. Beatrice Davidson Kenner truly, a remarkable woman. And an African-American pioneer. 

All right guys. [00:10:00] Well, I thank you for joining me on yet another black history month fact.I hope that you have learned something from this. I know I certainly have. I hope you will join me again tomorrow we have yet another, black history fact for you guys to enjoy. 

As always you can drop us a line of the day with crime@gmail.com. If you have any comments or questions for the show. 

Remember, we do drop fresh, true crime episodes every Monday. All right guys, well as always be good to yourself, and to each other. And I'm going to catch you guys. On the next one.