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Women On The Top Of The Car Industry
One of the most common misconceptions about the automotive industry is that it has always been a male-dominated space. While men were the pioneers in inventing the automobile and shaping the industry, women have played an essential role from the very beginning. In fact, one of the most recognizable brands in the industry, Mercedes, was named after a woman. In 1900, Austrian entrepreneur Emil Jellinek took over Daimler Motoren and renamed the company “Mercedes” in honor of his daughter, Mercedes Jellinek.
This is just one of many examples of how women have influenced the automotive world—not just as inspirations but as active contributors in engineering, design, and executive leadership. In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th, let’s explore how women have helped shape the industry and continue to drive it forward.
Women In Car Engineering And Development
Although the number of female engineers in the automotive industry has historically been smaller compared to men, women have played significant roles in research, development, and innovation. Some of their contributions have become industry standards and revolutionized how we drive today.
One of the earliest examples is Bertha Benz, the wife of automotive inventor Karl Benz. While Karl invented the automobile in 1886, Bertha made history in 1888 by becoming the first person to complete a long-distance (65-mile) journey in a car. She was not just a test driver; she was also a mechanically inclined problem solver who helped Karl refine and improve his invention. Bertha Benz was an early pioneer of automotive engineering and played a crucial role in proving the practicality of automobiles.
Another key figure is Margaret A. Wilcox, one of the first female mechanical engineers in the United States. Recognizing how uncomfortable open-top automobiles were during winter, she invented the first car heating system and patented it in 1893. Her design laid the foundation for modern car heaters, making driving in cold conditions much safer and more comfortable.
The invention of windshield wipers can be credited to Mary Anderson, who patented the “Window-cleaning device for automobiles” in 1903. She noticed that drivers struggled to see clearly in rain and snow, so she devised a hand-operated wiper system. Later, her invention evolved into the electrically powered windshield wipers we use today, an indispensable feature in modern cars.
In the 1960s, Stephanie Kwolek, a chemical engineer at DuPont, invented Kevlar—a material five times stronger than steel. This lightweight, highly durable material has been widely adopted in the automotive industry for safety applications, such as reinforced tires and protective body panels.
More recently, Linda Zhang, Chief Engineer for the Ford F-150 Lightning, has played a critical role in Ford’s transition to electric vehicles. With an electrical engineering background and a 25-year career at Ford, she has been instrumental in making the F-150 Lightning one of the most important EVs in the market today.
Women In Car Design
While the evolution of car design began early in automotive history, the 1950s marked a golden era when General Motors recognized the importance of female consumers. The company formed a team of female designers called the “Damsels of Design”. This group brought fresh, innovative approaches to both interior and exterior vehicle designs, shaping cars to be more user-friendly and aesthetically appealing. One of the most notable members, Suzanne Vanderbilt, later became Chevrolet’s Chief of Interior Design in 1972.
Another groundbreaking designer was Joan Klatil-Creamer, who became the first woman to design a Cadillac model in 1967. Her contributions paved the way for more women to enter automotive design, an industry previously dominated by men.
In 1983, Emeline King became Ford Motor Company’s first Black female designer. She worked on several high-profile models, but her most famous contribution was the interior design of the SN95-generation Ford Mustang (1994-2004), a design still celebrated by Mustang enthusiasts today.
A more recent example is Michelle Christensen, the lead designer behind the modern Acura NSX. Despite Acura being a Japanese brand, the NSX was designed and built in the U.S., and Christensen’s elegant yet aggressive design won multiple awards.
Women as Automotive Executives
Women have not only contributed to engineering and design but have also taken on leadership 56 roles within the industry. The most well-known female executive is Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors (GM) since 2014. She made history as the first woman to lead a major global automaker and has since been a driving force behind GM’s push for electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and sustainability initiatives. Under her leadership, GM has navigated challenges like the ignition switch recall crisis and has emerged as a leader in the EV revolution.
Conclusion
For a long time, the automotive industry was seen as a male-dominated field, but today, women are making significant strides. Currently, women make up about 27% of professionals in the automotive industry, a number that continues to grow. Interestingly, women also account for 62% of car purchases in the U.S., making them a crucial force in shaping the industry’s future.
From early inventors and engineers to modern-day designers and executives, women have played an essential role in the evolution of automobiles. Their contributions have often been overlooked, but it is time to acknowledge and celebrate the groundbreaking work they have done. Without them, the automotive industry would not be as innovative, stylish, or advanced as it is today.
