Women Who Revolutionised Auto
At Group1 Cars, we believe in celebrating the unsung heroes who drive innovation. Much like the brilliant women who worked behind the scenes at NASA to make space exploration possible, the automotive industry owes a great deal to pioneering women whose ideas and inventions transformed motoring history.
In this three-part series, we spotlight 13 extraordinary women who, often working against the odds, reshaped the automotive landscape. Their brilliance, determination, and courage broke barriers and left an indelible mark on the industry.
In Part 1, we highlight Ada Lovelace, Bertha Benz, and Dorothy Elizabeth Levitt — visionaries who challenged conventions, expanded possibilities, and paved the way for future innovations.
Ada Lovelace – Visionary Behind Modern Technology
[Image – Ada Lovelace – Wikipedia]
Born Augusta Ada Byron (10 December 1815 – 27 November 1852)
Read more about Ada Lovelace here.
Ada Lovelace, often called the world’s first computer programmer, defied 19th-century norms by excelling in advanced mathematics. The daughter of poet Lord Byron, she collaborated with Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, to develop groundbreaking theories about computing.
Lovelace’s foresight laid the foundation for modern technology, including innovations integral to the automotive industry.
Today, her contributions can be seen in everything from GPS systems to cruise control, infotainment technologies, and safety mechanisms like airbag deployment.
Bertha Benz – Driving Innovation Forward
[Image – Bertha Benz – Wikipedia]
(3 May 1849 – 5 May 1944)
Read more about Bertha Benz here.
Bertha Benz took the world’s first long-distance automobile journey in 1888. Determined to prove the practicality of her husband Karl Benz’s invention — the Benz Patent-Motorwagen — she embarked on a 105km trip without his knowledge, overcoming multiple challenges.
Bertha’s resourcefulness during the journey led to several innovations, including the invention of the first brake pad, which she created using leather.
Her fearless efforts not only demonstrated the potential of the automobile but also helped secure its acceptance by the public.
Dorothy Elizabeth Levitt – Rear-View Mirror Innovator
[Image – Dorothy Levitt – Wikipedia]
(5 January 1882 – 17 May 1922)
Read more about Dorothy Levitt here.
Dorothy Levitt was known as “the fastest girl on Earth” and the first woman to break into motor racing. In her time, she not only competed but also wrote “The Woman and the Car: A Chatty Little Handbook for All Women Who Motor” in 1909.
In her book, Levitt suggested that drivers use a hand mirror to monitor traffic behind them — a concept that would later evolve into the rear-view mirror, now a staple in all vehicles.
Levitt also taught members of the British royal family to drive and became a role model for women entering the automotive space.
Her contributions to driving safety and design continue to influence the industry today.
At Group1 Cars, we’re proud to share these stories of extraordinary women whose ideas have shaped the vehicles we drive today.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore the achievements of Edith Marie Flanigen, Hedy Lamarr, Helen Blair Bartlett, and Gladys Mae West — innovators whose work has impacted everything from advanced materials to GPS navigation.
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