Ryan, Catherine O'Connell (1865–1936)

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Ryan, Catherine O'Connell (1865–1936)

American inventor. Born Catherine O'Connell, May 26, 1865, in Mayo, Ireland; immigrated to US, 1870; m. Thomas J. Ryan (operator of a hay and grain business), May 22, 1882; children: 6, youngest of whom was attorney Kingsley Ryan who assembled her papers.

Invented the self-locking nut and bolt and held 6 patents which revolutionized joining of tracks for railroads and trolleys; when US Steel, Carnegie Steel, and Illinois Steel infringed on her patent, sued unsuccessfully to protect her patent rights.

See also Women in World History.