Next time you come in from the cold, think a warm thought for Alice H. Parker.

Born in the year the Civil War ended, it was highly unusual for an African American woman to attend college in her era, but Alice Parker did, and took classes Howard University with honors.

A Morristown resident, Parker grew tired of the cold Morristown winters and the limited effectiveness of fireplaces to warm her home. So, she designed a natural gas-fueled “new and improved heating furnace.” It was the first time anyone had thought of using natural gas for home heating.

Her design won her a patent in December 1919, and from her design was born the thermostat and the more familiar forced air furnace in most homes today.

Not much is known of Alice Parker’s life.

It is unclear whether her anonymity was by choice or by the social design of the time, but to recognize her contribution to the state’s history of innovation, the NJ Chamber has named its “Women Leaders in Innovation” award after her.