Inventor, forensics scientist and physical therapist Bessie Blount Griffin (born 11/24/1914) is a terrific example of how the world economy can better the lives of people rather than simply exploit them. Upon graduating from the Panzer College of Physical Education and Hygiene, she moved to Chicago to study physical therapy.

During her time working with wounded WW2 veterans, Bessie invented a machine that allowed amputees to feed themselves by biting down on a tube that released food one bite at a time. When the US government wasn't interested in buying the invention, she sold it to the French government instead. 

Bessie worked as a physical therapist for the mother-in-law of Theodore Edison (son of Thomas Edison) and while caring for her, she invented the cardboard emesis basin -- which is a shallow basin with sloping walls used in the care of bedridden people -- but again, the US  did not want the invention, so she sold it to Belgium instead. These days, emesis basins are a common sight in most care facilities, and Bessie is credited for the invention.

In the late 1960s, Bessie switched gears and decided to go to work in forensics, and in this field she also quickly excelled, becoming the Chief Document Examiner at the Vineland Police Department. She eventually outgrew the position, and in 1977 she studied with Scotland Yard (she was the first African-American woman to do so) in hopes of learning the latest techniques and improving her skill set. She ran her own forensics consultancy until the late 1990s, and spent her time verifying the authenticity of slave, Civil War, and Native American documents.

She was named as a Notable Woman by Virginia Women of History in 2005.