Here here Jacqui C and I wholly agree. I can't stand the adverts where men are put down as nothing but a little man.

I disagree with able on the invention ground idea. Marie Currie was a pioneer in medicine, yet she was for many years the second in command of her husband, yet she had good medical background herself.

The problem arose that by the time the women had done the housework, probably thinking of many time saving inventions, never had the time to carry out the inventions in the long run! Many times I've stood at the kitchen sink, washing clothes and uniforms for my kids ( when the washing machine broke down, no money etc), and had brilliant ideas and theories to write in my coursework (molecular biology) only to find that by the time I had done the chores, sorted out the kids for bed etc, could not remember the train of thought and ideas I had.

Also, how many inventions have caused human destruction? Poverty and social division? many were made by men.

As an example, a stocking knitter was being persued by a young man she constantly turned down. Giving him the excuse that she was busy knitting for sale of stockings. That was after all her job. This young man promptly thought of a way to help her, by doing the job for her. He invented the knitting machine, which when it was produced, still left this woman turning him down. Why?
Because, only men were allowed to use the machine, and because it saved labour time, he effectively lost her, her job.

Now that be man thinkin' eh?

Sometimes inventions are just meant to not be invented. Atom bomb for one!