Benerito, Ruth (1916–)
Benerito, Ruth (1916–)
American inventor and chemist. Name variations: Ruth Rogan Benerito. Born 1916; grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana; Sophie Newcomb College, BS in Chemistry, 1935; Tulane University, MS in Physics, 1938; attended Bryn Mawr College, 1935–36; University of Chicago, PhD in Physical Chemistry, 1948.
While working at US Department of Agriculture laboratories in New Orleans (1950s), invented cotton wash-and-wear, wrinkle-free clothes, effectively putting an end to hours of ironing for women; spent 33 years with the Department, producing 55 patents; also taught chemistry at Randolph-Macon Women's College, Tulane University, and University of New Orleans. Received Garvan Medal of American Chemical Society, as well as Lemelson—MIT Lifetime Achievement Award for her patented processes in textiles (2002), among others.