“NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTIONS”
INVENTORS
Carver, George Washington
Invention: Promoted alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion. His more than 300 products derived from peanuts and 118 from sweet potato include: milks, plastics, paints, dyes, cosmetics, medicinal oils, soaps, synthetic rubber, vinegar, flour, and postage stamps, and even a type of gasoline. He was the most prominent black scientist of the early 20th century.
Carruthers, George
Invention: The ultraviolet camera/spectrograph, which NASA used when it launched Apollo 16 in 1972.
Brown, Marie Van Brittan
Invention: Closed-circuit television security – CCTV
Patent Number: 3482037
Emeagwalie, Philip
Invention: World’s Fastest Computer
Boykin, Otis
Inventions: Development of IBM computers, burglar-proof cash register, chemical air filters, artificial heart pacemaker control unit
Dean, Mark
Co-Inventions: Colour IBM PC Monitor and Gigahertz Chip
Croak, Marian R.
Invention: Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Gelobter, Lisa
Inventions: Shockwave (genesis of animation on the web) and online video
Allela, Roy
Invention: Sign IO – Smart gloves that convert sign language moments into audio speech
West, Dr. Gladys
Invention: The GPS
Honored by the U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon
Wilkins Jr., Jesse Ernest
Invention: Mathematical modes to explain gamma radiation
Sampson, Henry T.
Invention: Cellular Phone
Jackson, Dr. Shirley Ann
Inventions: The touch-tone telephone, the portable fax, caller ID, call waiting, and the fiber-optic cable
Johnson, Lonnie G.
Inventions: Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter and the super soaker
Alcorn, George Edward Jr.
Inventions: X-ray spectrometer for distant galaxies and 19 others
This invention would ultimately earn George the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Inventor of the Year in 1984. Alcorn has around 20 other inventions to his name as well.
Bath, Patricia
Invention: The Cataract Laserphaco Probe
Arinze, Chukwunonso
Invention: Kaoshi – A foreign exchange market where users swap currencies, eliminating bank charges and long queues.
Koigi, Beth
Invention: Majik Water System – Uses silica gels to harvest water from the air and converts it into drinking water using solar technology.
Latimer, Lewis-Nichols, Joseph
Invention: Electric Lamp/Carbon Light Bulb Filament
Patent Number: 247097
Morgan, Garrett
Inventions: The Three-Light Traffic Light, the Traffic Signal, Breathing Device, Gas Mask
Drew, Charles
Invention: The Blood Bank
Griffin, Bessie Blount
Invention: Amputee self-feeding device
Miles, Alexander
Invention: Electric elevator doors that automatically open and close
Patent Number: 371207
Jones, Frederick McKinley
Invention: Refrigerated truck systems – Thermostat and Temperature Control
Spikes, Richard
Invention: Automatic Gear Shift
Berger, Edmond
Invention: Spark Plug
Banneker, Benjamin
Invention: America’s first clock
Martin, Thomas J.
Invention: Fire Extinguisher
Patent Number: 125063
Sampson, George T.
Invention: Clothes Dryer
Davidson, Mary and Mildred
Invention: Walker
Banneker, Benjamin
Invention: Astronomical Almanac
Clarke, Mamie
Invention: Conducted 1940’s experiments using dolls to study children’s attitudes about race
Parker, Alice H.
Invention: Furnace for Central Heating
Patent Number: 1325905
Standard, J.
Inventions: Oil Stove, Refrigerator
Patent Numbers: 413689, 455891
McCoy, Elijah
Invention: Lubricators that revolutionized steam engines and the railroad industry
Abrams, W. B.
Invention: Home attachment
Patent Number: 450550
Deitz, W. A.
Invention: Shoes
Patent Number: 64205
Bradley, Benjamin
Invention: First Steam Engine
Benjamin was born into enslavement in 1830 and was taught to read and write by his master’s children. He later devised the first steam engine for a ship. Showing a great natural talent for invention, his master referred him to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland to take up a position as an assistant in their Science Department. It was there that he developed his own design for a steam engine. Being enslaved he was unable to patent his invention. However he did sell the rights to his invention and bought his own freedom.
Bailes, Wm.
Invention: Ladder Scaffold-support
Patent Number: 218154
Bailey, L. C.
Inventions: Combined truss and bandage, folding bed, shampoo headrest
Patent Number: 285545, 629286
Bailey also invented the rapid mail-stamping machine. A device to shunt trains to different tracks, and a hernia truss that was adopted by the United States Military.
Beard, Andrew J.
Inventions: Rotary engine, car coupler
Patent Numbers: 478271, 594059
Blackburn, A. B.
Inventions: Railway signal, spring seat for chairs, cash carrier
Patent Numbers: 376362, 380420, 391577
Elkins, Thomas
Invention: Modern Toilet
Burr, John Albert
Invention: Lawn Mower
Smith, Joseph A.
Invention: Lawn Sprinkler
Dorsey, O.
Inventions: Door Knob, Door Stop
Patent Numbers: 210764
Downing, Philip B.
Invention: Mail Box
Prudy, John & Sadgwar, James R.
Invention: Folding Chair
Brooks, Hallstead/Page
Invention: Street Sweepers
Patent Number: 558719
Burridge & Marshman
Invention: Typewriter
Butts, John W.
Invention: Luggage Carrier
Patent Numbers: 634611
Davis, William D.
Invention: Riding Saddles
Patent Number: 568939
De Leon, Martha (Mary) Jones
Invention: Cooking Apparatus
Patent Number: 140253
Martha’s invention was an early precursor of the steam tables that we see at food buffets worldwide today.
Evans, J. H.
Invention: Convertible Settees
Patent Numbers: 59109
Richardson, William H.
Invention: Reversible Baby Stroller
Flemming, Jr., Robert F.
Invention: Guitar
Isola, Oluwabusuy
Invention: Double Sided Guitar
Grant, George, F.
Invention: Gulf Tee
Gregory, J.
Invention: Motor
Patent Number: 361937
Johnson, Issac R.
Invention: Bicycle Frame
Patent Number: 634823
Johnson, Powell
Invention: Eye Protector
Patent Number: 234039
Lavalette, W. A.
Invention: Printing Press
Patent Number: 208184
Winters, Joseph R.
Invention: Fire Escape Ladders
Patent Numbers: 203517, 214224
Martin, Washington
Invention: Modern Lock
Patent Numbers: 407738, 443945
Moody, W. U.
Invention: Game Board Design
Patent Number: 27046
Loudin, F. J.
Inventions: Key Chain, Sash Fastener, Key Fastener
Patent Numbers: 510432, 512308
Jackson, H. A.
Invention: Kitchen Table
Patent Number: 596135
Outlaw, J. W.
Invention: Horseshoes
Patent Number: 614273
Reed, John W.
Invention: Rolling Pin
Turner, M. Turner
Invention: The Fruit Press
Patent Number: 1180959
Boone, Sarah
Invention: Ironing Board
Patent Number: 473653
Crum, George
Invention: Potato Chips
Pickering, John
Invention: Blimp