Sybilla Righton Masters

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Sybilla Righton Masters
Born	c. 1676 Bermuda
Died	August 23, 1720 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, British America
Known for	First American woman to receive a patent
Spouse(s)	Thomas Masters
Children	4

Sybilla Righton Masters (c. 1676 – August 23, 1720) was an American inventor and the first American woman to receive a patent. She was born in Bermuda and later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Early Life

Sybilla Righton was born around 1676 in Bermuda. She married Thomas Masters, a prominent merchant in Philadelphia, and they had four children together.

Inventions

Sybilla Masters is best known for her invention of a method for processing corn (maize) into cornmeal. In 1712, she traveled to London to secure a patent for her invention, as the American colonies did not have a patent office at the time. On June 25, 1715, she was granted a patent by the King of Great Britain, making her the first American woman to receive a patent. The patent was issued in her husband's name, as women were not allowed to hold patents in their own names at that time.

Her invention involved a new way of cleaning and curing the corn to produce a finer quality of cornmeal. This process was significant in improving the efficiency and quality of corn production in the American colonies.

Legacy

Sybilla Masters' achievements were groundbreaking for women in the field of invention and patents. Her work paved the way for future female inventors and highlighted the contributions of women to technological advancements.

Death

Sybilla Righton Masters died on August 23, 1720, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

See Also

• List of inventors
• History of patents
• Women in science