Necessity is the mother of invention.

            Take a close look at products developed in Nebraska and you’ll discover several inventions came about from need, and others, well, those creations created hours of fun.

            Whether a manufacturing plant or home-based enterprise that blossomed, Nebraska’s inventions and products are wide in scope.

            Our state’s agriculture background led to a variety of inventions, ranging from fence stretchers, corn husking hooks, agriculture equipment, and seed varieties.

            A farmer from Cozad used his creative influence to develop a siphon-gravity tube implemented in crop irrigation. Milo V. German’s invention snowballed into a new company – Nebraska Plastics – where siphons and irrigation products were made for farmers around the world.

            Do you plan to vote in the upcoming primary? Take a look at the voting booth. It may have been produced in Crete, Nebraska.

            The Douglas Manufacturing Company has designed voting booths since 1905. After having a dream, Elizabeth Robb Douglas constructed the prototype of a collapsible voting booth. By 1910, the factory received its first order for 1,000 booths.

            Even though the Elgin Watch Company originated in Illinois, a Lincoln plant opened in 1910, manufacturing pocket watches, wrist watches, and precision instruments. The business closed in 1958.

            Another Lincoln staple may have found its way into your kitchen. In 1932, Ed and Phyllis Weaver saw an advertisement for cooking equipment used to make potato chips.

            The Weavers did not have available funds for the purchase; so instead, they used kettles on the stove to create a crispy treat.

            The result, originally named Weaver Brownie Vitamin Chips soon switched its name to weaver Potato Wafers. The company closed its doors in 2006 after a supplier failed to fulfill its contract.

            Even youngsters have had fun with a Nebraska invention – the Terri Lee doll. During the late 1940s and 1950s, this Lincoln creation was a favorite with young girls. The doll and her fashion wardrobe included 500 costumes and accessories.

            The doll was named after the daughter of creator Violet Lee Gradwohl.

            Perhaps one of the most famous inventions from Nebraska is the strobe light, developed by Harold E. “Doc” Edgerton.

            Edgerton’s impact in photography continues to draw acclaim.

            Born in Fremont in 1903, Edgerton spent his childhood years in Aurora, where he discovered photography.  After earning an engineering degree from UNL, Edgerton attended grad school at MIT.

            By combining his love of photography with his studies, Edgerton preserved images that captured a split-second in time. Both amateurs and professionals have emulated his use of ultra high-speed and stop-action photography. Even the U.S. military realized they could utilize Edgerton’s research for atomic bomb testing and aerial photography.

            If you venture past Aurora once evening commences, a blinking strobe light beckons from the tower of the Hamilton County Courthouse, a tribute to its native inventor.

            How many other products have been developed in our state?

            Probably hundreds, each meeting the needs of a specific demographic.

            Or perhaps these products are the result of one person’s vision of simplicity.

                Throughout history, countless women have made tremendous contributions to advance our nation, making a lasting impression of the power, grace and intelligence of women. Yet, these strong and courageous role models usually play the role of unsung hero, the behind-the-scenes motivator promoting significant causes.

                Some of their stories are well-known; others remain to be discovered.

                As I flipped through shows on the History Channel– many about women and their work – I wondered about the origin of Women’s History Month.

                 In 1980, President Carter announced the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the celebration of National Women’s History Week. In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month, honoring exceptional achievements of American women.

                I wondered who would be considered the most influential Nebraska woman, past or present. Six names came to mind. Would other Nebraskans agree with my selections?

                I turned to friends, family, colleagues and students, along with my Facebook and Twitter feeds, and posed the question.

                Interesting results. I’ve included the top three.

                The overwhelming consensus listed Willa Cather as the state’s most significant woman. I’ll admit, she was the first name that came to my mind, too.

                There’s something magical about Cather’s depiction of Nebraska, almost like the land becomes a supporting – or maybe even leading – character. Former student Stefanie Ickes mentions Cather because “she portrayed Nebraska in a way no one else could.”

                Fellow teacher Michelle Mosel gives an excellent example of Cather’s influence. “I had a former foreign exchange student come and visit a couple of years ago and she shared then when she returned to Nebraska, she knew how Cather felt. She was ‘home’.”

                That powerful sense of place Cather captures in her writing doesn’t go unnoticed. My speech coaching pal Gregg Moeller says that even though other authors from her era have faded in influence, Cather remains “a titan of her time – and all time.”

                Agreed. As a grad student at Northwestern, many professors shared sections of Cather’s works as prime examples of establishing setting and devising a connection between place and character.

                The historic 1986 race for governor featured Kay Orr and Helen Boosalis. Campaigning for office in a state that hadn’t elected a woman governor, Orr ended up winning the race, becoming America’s first Republican female governor.

                Moeller writes that Orr motivated a whole generation of Nebraska women into interests in politics. “The Orr/Boosalis election was a lightning rod that our state will never see again.”

                Fellow speech coach Candace Cain believes Evelyn Sharp of Ord, one of the first female pilots in America, deserves consideration.  Sharp received a private and commercial transport license and started flying mail routes between Central Nebraska towns.

                Other vote-getters include Virginia Smith (politics), Mari Sandoz, Maud Edgerton Nuquist (educator/politics), Marg Helgenberger (actress), Louise Pound (educator), Grace Abbott (social worker), and Susette LaFlesche Tibbles (Native American writer, lecturer and artist).

                Undoubtedly, some names resonate with you, trendsetters in their respective fields.

Others may be unheard of, treasures worth discovering in our state’s and women’s history.

Who do you think is Nebraska’s most influential woman? Share your thoughts at http://luannschindler.com.  THANK YOU to my Facebook and Twitter friends and everyone who contributed ideas.

From my notebook…

Say what you want about the upcoming U.S. Senate race, but former Nebraska Governor and Senator Bob Kerry’s entry in the race has caused a stir.

Maybe that’s not all bad.

Two days after Kerry flip-flopped his decision to run for office, Republican candidate Jon Bruning’s campaign circulated its first attack ad.

The spot paints Kerry as an out-of-state liberal who has no business in Nebraska.

Shouldn’t Bruning be more concerned about the upcoming Republican primary since he faces two other candidates?

And, what’s to guarantee Kerry will win the Democratic nomination? After all, Chuck Hassebrook tossed his hat into the ring.

Looks like it’s shaping up for an interesting election season in Nebraska.

*  *  *

Four games in four days for the Huskers women’s basketball team at the Big 10 tourney. Two overtimes on Sunday against a scrappy Purdue team left Nebraska four points short in a 74-70 loss.

It’s the second time these two have battled to overtime. When the Huskers played in West Lafayette during the regular season, they beat the Boilermakers 93-89. Triple overtime.

It’s an exciting season for Connie Yori’s group, and hopefully they receive encouraging news next Monday when the NCAA tourney bids are handed out.

Go Nebrasketball!

*  *  *

Twenty years after Nebraska became the 37th State in the Union, the Nebraska Senate adopted a resolution to form the Grand Island Veteran’s Home. It opened on March 4, 1887, making it the first and oldest veteran’s home in Nebraska.

The city raised funds for the original Soldiers and Sailors Home.

The Grand Island facility was constructed to serve wounded Civil War veterans, but consider how its scope has grown since then. I’ve had a family member receive care at the facility and appreciate the efforts made by the staff.

Here’s to another 125 years of service to those who serve us.

* * *

Last week on Facebook, the National Weather Service posted an interesting photo of their radar screen, showing a large mass of something in the air between Beatrice and Lincoln. Sure, it was windy, but the sun was shining; no storms were detected on the radar.

‘What could it be?’ questioned the NWS.

According to area residents, an extremely large gaggle of snow geese passed over that very day, making it the most obvious choice.

The Weather Service agreed.

I’d believe it, too. Last Tuesday on my way home from school, a humongous gaggle of geese were in the midst of our cornfield. I stopped to photograph the group, which seemed to stretch from fence line to fence line. When they lifted into the air, I’d estimate nearly a thousand birds flocked north of our house.

Next, be on the lookout for the Sandhill Cranes. Nebraska Game and Parks estimates about 650,000 cranes will make the trek from Mexico to Alaska, Canada, and Siberia. 

You know, bird watching means big business for our state. Between $25 to $50 million infiltrates Nebraska’s economy during this time of year.

 That’s a lot of cash to quack about.

                And this year’s Oscar goes to . . .

                The 84th Academy Awards ceremony aired Sunday night, and while many viewers tuned in simply to see which starlet wore a certain designer’s dress and was draped in diamonds worth the national debt, others watched with great anticipation, celebrating the year’s best offerings from the cinema.

                Then, there are those who don’t watch the Awards. At all. (More than likely, these are the same individuals who refuse to fork over a Hamilton – and I’m not talking George – for a movie ticket or another twelve bucks for the buttery tub o’ popcorn and diet Coke.)

                As I watched snippets of Sunday’s broadcast, I wondered how many Oscar statuettes have been awarded to actors, directors, writers, editors, and musicians with Nebraska ties. Off the top of my head, a few winners came to mind. I was surprised to discover 22 individuals from our state have been nominated by their peers since the awards began in 1927.

                In all, Nebraska natives or residents have been nominated 55 times for their talents on stage or behind the scenes. Of those nominations, 21 have been named the best of the best.

                Five honorary awards have been given to Nebraskans.

                Count the two movies that won Best Picture– “Boy’s Town” in 1938 and “Terms of Endearment” in 1984 – associated with Nebraska, the total of statutes with Nebraska implications equals 28.

                Henry Fonda, born in Grand Island, was nominated for and won three Oscars. In 1941, he won Best Actor for his performance in “The Grapes of Wrath.” He was part of the cast comprising 1958’s Best Picture, “12 Angry Men.” In 1981, Fonda struck gold again in “On Golden Pond.”

                Lincoln-born Hilary Swank earned two Best Actress Oscars. Her portrayal of Teena Brandon in 2000’s “Boys Don’t Cry” told the story of the brutal rape and murder of a cross-dressing teen in Falls City, Nebraska. In 2005, her depiction of a struggling-waitress-turns-boxer in “Million Dollar Baby” was golden.

                Omaha’s Marlon Brando was nominated eight times and won twice, for “The Godfather” and “On the Waterfront.”

                What about the behind-the-scenes folk?  

                A short story by author Bess Streeter Aldrich of Elmwood won the 1942 Oscar for Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture.

                A short documentary, “Quicker ‘N a Wink,” explained stroboscopic photography, a slow motion technique developed by Harold E. Edgerton of Aurora and won Best Short Film in 1940.

                Mike Hill of Omaha is one of Hollywood’s top film editors. He has four nominations and won Best Film Editing for Apollo 13.

                Even a Northeast Nebraska native has brought home Oscar. In 1938, the song “Sweet Leilani” from the movie “Waikiki Wedding” won Best Music, Original Song. The writer: Harry Owens of O’Neill.

                Don’t forget Alexander Payne, who has won two Best Adapted Screenplay Oscars in the past seven years.

                Plus, Johnny Carson hosted a handful of Oscar ceremonies.

                While everyone may not enjoy watching yet another award ceremony, we Nebraskans can be proud of the cinematic contributions made by our state’s award winners.

            Rusty pieces of metal. Skeletons of overworked tractors. Dead pick-up trucks with busted out windshields.

            Eyesore? Or, is that heap of junk worth something?

            Venture down nearly any Nebraska back road, pass by a farmstead – abandoned or thriving – and you’ll more than likely see a mountain of scrap, piling higher than a haystack.

            Scrap yard. Junk pile. Bone yard.

            Call it what you want, but that heap of leftover ironworks longs to be repurposed, resold, or recycled: the three R’s of scrap pile use.

            The scrap pile has historical significance for Nebraska and the nation.

            During World War II, Nebraskans hauled metal, tin foil, and even paper to scrap drives. In 1942, Nebraska ranked 14th in the nation for collections, gathering 111 percent of its quota to assist the war effort. The morale boost gave Nebraskans an increased feeling of helpfulness and patriotism.

            Perhaps Nebraskans were a bit too overzealous donating to the cause. Nebraska Historical Society documents give examples of historical objects being sent for salvage. A Civil War cannon from Fort Omaha, as well as a cannon located in Fairbury utilized in the Spanish-American War were given up.

            It’s unfortunate these artifacts were lost.

            For years, farmers have used their ingenuity, pulling bits and pieces of salvageable material from the mound of metal, reusing a section of pipe or cutting angle iron for a special project.

            My grandfather was the master of repurposing. Cousins Brian and Curt, along with sister Laurie  and I, would explore the massive swells behind grandpa’s shop, never knowing what we would unearth, always wondering how we could put these treasures to work.

             We wondered why he kept springs and engine parts, varying lengths of metal and old farm implements.  Grandpa was a welder, a darn good one from what I’ve been told, and he relied on the salvage pile to repair equipment or to create new projects. 

            When I moved to my grandparent’s farm, I still enjoyed exploring the area behind the shop. The girls and I found a couple old ploughs, which we repurposed as landscaping decorations; a tub from grandma’s wringer washer, repainted and repurposed into a flower pot; and grandpa’s experimental irrigation system made in the early 1940s, which curiously resembles a modern-day center pivot system.

            Was my grandfather a packrat, saving any fragment of material for future use? Was it an innate response from enduring the Depression, when every trace of any material could make the difference between survival and loss?

            Or was it just a common sense approach to farm life and conservation of resources?

            Now, with salvage prices at reasonable rates, it makes sense to clean up excess materials. At least that’s what husband Scott tells me. After consulting a few area recycling facilities, the average price for old appliances is $195 per ton. Unprepared metal averages $230.

            A poor economy, coupled with a need for recycled metals and high prices paid for scrap, maneuver the competitive market.

            Not a bad paycheck for cleaning up the bone yard.