'Fermina Márquez' is a short novel in twenty chapters written by French writer Valery Larbaud. It was considered for the Prix Goncourt in 1911 but did not win. Nonetheless, it is still considered to be a minor classic of French literature and one of Larbaud's best known works along with his Diary of A.O. Barnabooth.
Fermina Orduña was a Spanish inventor and first woman to achieve a technological privilege (patent) in Spain.The patent described a special carriage to sell milk (cow, goat or donkey) to the public. Its purpose was to minimize transport time of milk due to keep it fresh. It additionally included feeding stations to keep the livestock fed and a hot water container to assist in milk storage. These allowed for fresh milk to be produced on sight. The patent protection had a period of 5 years from the date of issue on 20 May 1890.The "Fermina Orduña" awards for technological innovation was created to reward those connected to Madrid who have significantly boosted scientific innovation.