Anna Keichline (1889 - 1943)

Anna Wagner Keichline was the first woman in Pennsylvania to become a registered architect. In fact, she knew she wanted to be architect from age 14. She studied mechanical engineering at Penn State University and then transferred to Cornell. She was the fifth woman in the school's history to graduate with a degree in architecture. In addition to her studies, she was on the women's basketball team and a member of the drama club.

She was an advocate of women's right to vote but even more amazing, during World War I, she served as a volunteer special agent in the U.S. Army's Military Intelligence Division. Not only could she drive a car, she actually owned one!

In addition to designing public and private buildings and homes, she also held the patent for seven inventions, including a combined sink and washtub and the design for a kitchen with sloped countertops and cabinets with glass doors. In 1929 she patented a bed that folded up into a wall. Her most famous invention was the "K brick," a hollow fireproof clay brick that could be filled with material either for insulating or soundproofing.

Anna Keichline was definitely a pioneer for women's right to be independent at a time when women were just beginning to think about having their own careers.