Becky Schroeder facts for kids

Rebecca "Becky" Schroeder, born in 1962, is an amazing American inventor. She was one of the youngest girls ever to get a U.S. patent! When she was just 10 years old, Becky had a brilliant idea. She thought of a special sheet that would glow, letting people write in the dark. This cool invention earned her U.S. Patent 3,832,556 on August 27, 1974, when she was only 12.

Becky's Early Life and Bright Idea

Becky Schroeder grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Her dad, Charles Schroeder, was a patent lawyer and an inventor himself. This meant Becky was always around new ideas and creative thinking.

The idea for her famous invention, the Glo-Sheet, came to her one evening. Becky was in the car, waiting for her mom, and trying to finish her homework. As it got darker, she found it really hard to see what she was writing. That's when she started thinking: "What if there was a paper that could glow on its own?"

Inventing the Glo-Sheet

Inspired by her idea, Becky started experimenting. She used special paint that glows after it's been in the light. She put this glowing paint on a sheet of paper. This made a surface that could glow in the dark! It meant people could write even when there wasn't much light around.

Becky's dad saw how great her invention was. He helped her apply for a patent. A patent is like an official document that says you invented something. On August 27, 1974, when Becky was only 12, she received U.S. Patent 3,832,556. It was for her "luminescent backing sheet for writing in the dark."

How the Glo-Sheet Was Used

The Glo-Sheet turned out to be very useful in many different places.

• Nurses used it to write notes at night without turning on bright lights. This helped patients sleep.
• Sailors in the Navy used Glo-Sheets on ships during nighttime operations.
• Photographers and other professionals also found it helpful for writing in dark areas.

Becky even made an improved version called the "Glo Panel." This one was powered by batteries. She sold her inventions through her own company, B.J. Products, which was based in Toledo, Ohio.

Recognition and Lasting Impact

Becky's amazing achievements have been featured in many books and news stories. She is even in a children's book called Girls Think of Everything. This book shares stories of clever inventions made by women. Becky's story shows young inventors that you're never too young to create something new and important.

Over the years, Becky received a total of ten patents for her inventions. These included improvements to her original Glo-Sheet. Her work has made a lasting difference, especially in jobs where people need to write in low light.

Becky's Later Innovations

After her first success, Becky kept inventing and creating new products. She stayed involved with her company, B.J. Products. She continued to explore different ways to use glowing materials. Her journey from a young girl with a bright idea to a recognized inventor shows how curiosity and determination can lead to amazing new technologies.