She was often referred to as "Lady Edison" She held 28 patents, 22 of which had something to do with sewing machines. She was born in 1840 to a wealthy family from Maine. When her family lost their fortune her mechanical skills came in handy. She filed her first patent for her most famous zigzag sewing machine in 1873. This zigzag stitch sealed the raw edges of the seam, which made the garment sturdier. Her 1873 zigzagger is now on display at the Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Other remarkable inventions by Blanchard are self-taking needles and a surgical needle. Helen Augusta Blanchard was a female inventor and engineer. She was born to a wealthy family in Maine, and when her family lost their fortune, she used her mechanical skills to help keep her family afloat. She patened the zig-zag sewing machine, which was important in making sturdy machine sewn clothing. Her other inventions include self-taking needles and a surgical needle. Helen filed 28 patents in her life time. Having profited from her commercial ventures, Blanchard was able to buy back the family homestead in Portland, and moved back there in 1901. She continued to patent inventions until suffering a stroke in 1916. She was inducted into the Inventor's hall of fame in 2006.