Belgium

On May 29, 1897, Jenny Minnie of Haeltert, Belgium, patented an improved incubator with a simple hot-water heating system and built-in air channels. Circulating warm water kept the temperature even, while fresh air was drawn in and gently warmed before reaching the eggs, improving incubation reliability.

On August 6, 1946, Odette Somville of Belgium patented a “double-texture” container made by casting aluminum around a dense inner lining. Her design preserved aluminum’s light weight and thermal conductivity while eliminating porosity by firmly bonding it to a compact, leak-proof interior wall.