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 12 years old, she received her patent. Her big idea came to her at age 10: a special sheet that would glow so you could write in the dark. This cool invention led to her getting U.S. Patent 3,832,556 on August 27, 1974.

How Becky Got Her Big Idea

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

One evening, Becky was doing her homework in the car. She was waiting for her mom. As it got darker, she found it really hard to see what she was writing. She started thinking: "What if there was a way to make paper glow on its own?" This moment sparked the idea for her invention, the Glo-Sheet.

Inventing the Glo-Sheet

Becky was excited about her idea. She started trying out different glowing materials. She put special paint that glows in the dark (called phosphorescent paint) onto a piece of paper. This made a sheet that could glow after it was held up to a light.

This glowing sheet let people write even when it was dark. You didn't need extra lights! Becky's dad saw how great her invention was. He helped her apply for a patent. A patent protects an invention, so others can't copy it. On August 27, 1974, when Becky was 12, she received U.S. Patent 3,832,556. It was for her "luminescent backing sheet for writing in the dark."

What the Glo-Sheet Was Used For

The Glo-Sheet was useful in many different jobs.

• Nurses used it to write notes at night without turning on bright lights. This helped patients sleep.
• Sailors in the Navy used it on ships during nighttime operations.
• Photographers and other people who worked in dark places also found it very helpful.

Becky even made a version that ran on batteries. She called it the "Glo Panel." She sold her inventions through her own company, B.J. Products, in Toledo, Ohio.

Becky's Impact and Recognition

Becky's amazing achievements have been shared in many books and news stories. She is in a children's book called Girls Think of Everything. This book tells stories about clever inventions made by women.

Becky's story shows young inventors that you're never too young to create something new. Over time, Becky received ten patents for her inventions! Some of these were improvements to her first Glo-Sheet. Her work has made a lasting difference, especially for jobs that need quiet, low light.

What Becky Did Next

After her first big success, Becky kept inventing and creating new products. She stayed involved with her company, B.J. Products. She kept exploring new ways to use glowing materials. The National Women's Hall of Fame has even recognized her work in an exhibit about women in engineering. Becky's journey, from a young girl with a bright idea to a famous inventor, shows how curiosity and determination can lead to amazing new things.