Inventions Long Attributed to Men That Were Actually Made by Women - How the Matilda Effect Erased Women's Groundbreaking Work in Science

For centuries, women's scientific achievements have often gone unrecognised or been wrongly credited to men. This pattern, now called the Matilda Effect, was first named by 19th-century activist Matilda Joslyn Gage. She exposed the deep-seated belief that women lacked the talent for scientific discovery.

The term 'Matilda Effect' describes how female inventors and researchers were overlooked while men received credit for their work. No exact figure exists for how many women were affected, but books, exhibitions, and studies—such as Beklaute Frauen—document countless cases across history. Many of these examples come from science, technology, engineering, and maths.

The issue is part of a broader history of inequality. In Germany, women could not open bank accounts until 1962. They were only legally recognised as capable of conducting business in 1968. Even later, in 1977, they finally gained the right to work without needing their husband's permission.

Today, the gender pay gap, pension disparities, and debates over quotas for women in leadership roles continue. These discussions stem from long-standing inequalities that the Matilda Effect helps explain.

The Matilda Effect remains a key example of how women's contributions were erased in science and beyond. While progress has been made, its legacy still influences modern debates on fairness and representation. Recognising this history is part of addressing ongoing inequalities in work, pay, and leadership.