If you’ve ever ridden Amtrak in the summer, and been very comfortable, thank OLIVE WETZEL DENNIS. The modern conveniences we take for granted originated with this woman.
Olive was designing things even as a child. When she was 10, using tools given to her by her father, she built a scale model streetcar for her brother, complete with movable seats and stairs. Earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics, she taught high school math for ten years before pursuing an engineering degree. She was only the second woman to earn a master’s degree in civil engineering from Cornell University. After graduation, she went to work for B&O (Baltimore & Ohio) railroad. Initially hired as a draftsman, she was promoted to “Engineer of Service”, a position the company created for her. The point? Make train travel more enticing to women. In an effort to fully understand what needed to change, Olive logged nearly a half-million miles riding the rails. Through her conversations with passengers, she developed and implemented innovations such as: air-conditioned rail cars; spacious bathrooms with free toilet paper, liquid soap, and disposable cups; reclining seats; stain-resistant upholstery; dimming overhead lights; foot rests; dining cars/café cars; and simplified timetables.
Most notable is her contribution to The Cincinnatian—an entire train designed with her innovations, including the shroud that covers the locomotive engine. Unfortunately, her name does not appear on the publicity as she signed over all the patents to the railroad. In spite of this she became the first female member of the American Railway Engineering Association.
Thanks, Olive! Without your innovations, summer rail travel would truly be miserable.