YOUNG WOMAN POSES AS MAN WITH CIGAR TO GET APPROVAL FOR HER INVENTION
New York City (JFK+50) On August 1, 1924, the Associated Press reports 18 year old Mary Burke of Cincinnati, Ohio came to New York City "to market an invention by which automobiles could run without gasoline."
To convince automobile dealers to take her seriously, the young lady dressed as a man and smoked a cigar. Unfortunately, they were not impressed with the invention.
"Hungry and lonesome for home," Miss Burke "asked police to take her into custody."
The AP says that her invention involved running automobiles with "powerful springs operating on the principle of watch springs."
SOURCE
"Disguising Cigar Of Little Benefit To Girl Inventor," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 1, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
