Betsey Ann Stearns | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Betsey Ann Goward June 29, 1830 Cornish, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | February 21, 1914 (aged 83) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | "Diagram and System for Cutting Ladies' and Children's Garments" |
| Spouse |
Horatio Hammond Stearns
(m. 1851; died 1879) |
| Children | 3 |
Betsey Ann Stearns (née Goward; professionally known as B. A. Stearns; June 29, 1830 – February 21, 1914) was an American inventor of the long nineteenth century. She is credited with developing a "Diagram and System for Cutting Ladies' and Children's Garments".[1] The invention was first issued in 1864 and improved upon in 1867. It is described as being simple and accurate, easily learned, and economical.[2]
As a child, she entered the weaving mills of Nashua, New Hampshire, saving her money from her work to educate herself. After marriage, she became well known for her dress-cutting invention, which was awarded the highest prize in the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, 1876. She went on to organize the Boston Dresscutting School, with branches in other states.[3] She also published two books focused on garment cutting.
- ^ Burr, Samuel J.; Burr, S. De Vere (1877). Memorial of the International Exhibition: Being a Description Written Up by Buildings, by Nationalities, by Classes... L. Stebbins. p. 588. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Art. III. – Women's Inventions". The Englishwoman's Review of Social and Industrial Questions. Vol. 12. Garland Publishing. 1881. pp. 358–59. ISBN 9780824037383. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Logan, Mrs John A. (1912). The Part Taken by Women in American History. Perry-Nalle publishing Company. p. 889. Retrieved 4 July 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
