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Bette GrahamAmerican typist, artist, inventor of 'liquid paper'
Date of Birth: 23.03.1924
Country:  USA |
Content:
Betty Graham Biography
Betty Graham, an American typist, artist, and inventor of "liquid paper," was one of the most popular versions of correcting fluid used by typists during the era of typewriters. She was born as Betty McMurray in Dallas, Texas, to Jesse McMurray, a sales manager for auto parts, and his wife Christine Duval. She grew up in San Antonio and completed her schooling in Alamo Heights. Betty married Warren Audrey Nesmith, who later went abroad to fight in World War II. While her husband was away, Betty gave birth to their son, Robert Michael Nesmith. Shortly after her husband's return, Betty divorced him.
In the early 1950s, Betty's father passed away, leaving her with an inheritance of property in Dallas. She moved to the inherited property with her son, mother, and sister. As a single mother, Betty had to support herself and her son, so she worked as a secretary in a local bank. Over time, Betty rose to the position of executive secretary, which was considered a significant career achievement for a woman in that field during those times.
The Invention of Liquid Paper
One of the main problems with early electric typewriters was the difficulty of correcting errors. Betty came up with an unusual idea while working at the bank, where she took up painting windows to earn some extra income. While painting, she realized that it would be easier to cover up the mistakes rather than erase them. To bring her idea to life, Betty decided to use a familiar medium to many artists, ordinary watercolor tempera paint. She brought a bottle of paint and a brush to work and started experimenting with correcting errors.
For the first five years, Betty used her invention in secret. Later, with the help of her son's chemistry teacher, she significantly improved the composition. While some of her superiors initially rejected Betty's innovation, her colleagues quickly appreciated her development and started using "Betty's Paint" themselves. Eventually, Betty realized the commercial potential of her invention and decided to start her own company.
Founding Liquid Paper
In 1956, Betty began manufacturing and selling her own correcting fluid. Initially named "Mistake Out," Betty later renamed her creation "Liquid Paper." In 1962, Betty married Robert Graham, who joined her in managing the company. However, they divorced in 1975. That same year, Betty sold "Liquid Paper" to the Gillette Corporation for $47.5 million. By that time, the company employed approximately 200 people and produced 25 million bottles of correcting fluid annually.
Legacy and Philanthropy
Betty Graham passed away on May 12, 1980, in Richardson, Texas, at the age of 56. Half of her estate, worth over $50 million, was inherited by her son, Michael. Some of the inheritance went towards the needs of the Gihon Foundation, which sponsored the creation of a special scientific and analytical center, focused on solving various global economic problems, north of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
