As electric typewriters came into widespread use after World War II, Bette Nesmith Graham and countless other secretaries let out a collective groan. The new machines did make typing easier, but their carbon-film ribbons made it impossible to correct mistakes neatly with a pencil eraser. As a result of this predicament, Graham ended up inventing one of the most widely used office products of the 20th century.

Born in 1924 in Dallas, Texas, Bette Graham dropped out of high school at the age of seventeen and went to secretarial school. By 1951, she had worked her way up to the position of executive secretary for W.W. Overton, the Chairman of the Board of the Texas Bank and Trust. It was at this time that Graham and her colleagues at the bank began experiencing trouble with the new IBM electric typewriters. Tired of having to retype entire pages because of one small error, Graham determined to find a more efficient alternative. Little did she know her frustration would lead to her becoming one of the most famous women inventors of the 20th century.

The impetus for Graham's breakthrough came as she observed painters decorating the bank windows for the holidays. Rather than remove their mistakes entirely, the painters simply covered any imperfections with an additional layer. The quick-thinking Graham mimicked their technique by using a white, water-based tempera paint to cover her typing errors.

When the other secretaries realized how well the invention worked, they flooded Graham with requests for their own supplies. The now-famous woman inventor sold her first batch of "Mistake Out" in 1956, and soon she was working full-time to produce and bottle it from her North Dallas home. Her son Michael – who would later achieve fame as a member of the pop group The Monkees – and his friends helped to fill the growing number of orders for Mistake Out.

Graham continued experimenting with the makeup of the substance until she achieved the perfect combination of paint and several other chemicals. The refined product was renamed "Liquid Paper" in 1958 and, amid soaring demand, Graham applied for a patent and a trademark that same year.

Graham's Liquid Paper Company experienced tremendous growth over the next decade. By 1967, the company had its own corporate headquarters and automated production plant, and sales were in excess of one million units per year. In 1975, Graham moved operations into a 35,000-sq. ft. international Liquid Paper headquarters building in Dallas. She sold the company to Gillette Corporation four years later, just six months before her death in 1980.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bette Nesmith Graham

Who was Bette Nesmith Graham?

Bette Nesmith Graham was an American inventor and businesswoman best known for creating Liquid Paper, a correction fluid that changed the way people fixed typing mistakes long before digital word processors existed.

What is Liquid Paper?

Liquid Paper is a quick-drying white fluid that covers typing errors on paper so they can be corrected cleanly. It became a staple in offices and homes when typewriters were widely used.

How did Bette Nesmith Graham come up with the idea?

Bette Nesmith Graham came up with the idea while working as a secretary. She often struggled with typing mistakes, so she experimented with paint and other mixtures until she created a fluid that could mask errors without smudging.

When did Bette Nesmith Graham invent Liquid Paper?

She developed the early version of Liquid Paper in the 1950s. Over time she refined the formula and eventually began selling it commercially when she realized how useful it could be for others.

Why was Liquid Paper important?

Before correction tape and digital editing, fixing a typo often meant retyping an entire page. Liquid Paper made it possible to correct mistakes quickly and neatly, saving time and reducing frustration for typists everywhere.

Did Bette Nesmith Graham start a business?

Yes. She founded a company to produce and sell Liquid Paper. Her invention grew from a homemade solution into a widely used office product with international reach.

Was Liquid Paper patented?

Yes. The formula and process were developed and protected so that her version of correction fluid could be produced and marketed with her name attached.

How did Bette Nesmith Graham’s invention change office work?

Liquid Paper became a standard item on desks around the world. It helped make typewritten work more efficient and accurate, and it supported the productivity of secretaries, writers, students, and many others who depended on typewriters.

Did Bette Nesmith Graham face challenges as an inventor?

Absolutely. She worked on her invention while raising a child and holding down a full-time job. She also had to convince others that her product was worth using and selling. Her persistence helped her turn an everyday frustration into a practical solution.

Why is Bette Nesmith Graham featured on Women-Inventors.com?

Bette Nesmith Graham is featured because her invention had broad impact on daily life and work long before computers became common. She shows how a simple idea based on real needs can become a widely used product.

What lessons can aspiring inventors learn from her story?

Her story teaches that innovation often starts with solving a problem you know well. It also shows the importance of persistence, experimentation, and the courage to turn a personal solution into something that helps many others.

How can I learn more about Bette Nesmith Graham?

To learn more, you can look for historical features on office technology, biographies of women inventors, materials on the history of typewriters, and accounts of how everyday problems inspired major inventions.

For more information on Bette Nesmith Graham, refer to:

Lemelson-MIT Inventor of the Week: Bette Nesmith Graham