Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner (May 17, 1912 - January 13, 2006) was an American inventor most noted for her development of the adjustable sanitary belt. [1] Kenner received five patents, which includes a carrier attachment for invalid walker and bathroom tissue dispenser. Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner Sanitary Belt, Walker, Toilet Tissue Holder Consumer Devices Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was a remarkable 20th-century inventor who received five patents.
In spite of enduring racism her entire life, Kenner succeeded in patenting inventions that made everyday life easier. She also devised a holder that caught the loose ends of toilet paper for easier use, particularly by blind people or those suffering with arthritis. Kenner submitted patents for these new ideas, each of which has evolved into items still in use.
Here's an article about Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner (1912-2006), an African. Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner is an inventor of numerous products we use today and has the most patents of any African American woman. Kenner was born on May 17, 1912, in Monroe, North Carolina.
Her father was inventor Sidney Nathaniel Davidson, and her mother is unknown to the public records; she has one sibling, her sister, Mildred Davidson Austin Smith. Kenner patented multiple inventions. Kenner invented both a sanitary belt in 1956 and a bathroom tissue holder in 1982 (among other hygienic inventions).
Kenner and her sister, Mildred Davidson, invented a toilet tissue holder in the 1970s and they shared the patent on it (US 4354643, dated October 19, 1982). She also patented a toilet tissue holder that made sure that the loose end of a roll was always within reach, and a back washer that could be attached to the wall of a shower to help people clean. Mary Kenner's best-known invention was an adjustable sanitary belt that held reusable menstrual pads, but she also designed a toilet paper holder, a back massager, and more.
She also designed an improved bathroom tissue holder that allowed the dangling end of the tissue to be accessible at all times. When her sister Mildred - an inventor in her own right - was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Mary invented and patented a tray and carrier that attaches to a walker. Later, Kenner invented a modification to the sanitary pocket that included a "moisture resistant pocket." Kenner shared the patent on the toilet tissue holder with her sister, Mildred Davidson.
After Mildred developed multiple sclerosis, Kenner invented the carrier attachment for a walker.