Celebrating Black History: Science and Technology Milestones by Black Americans
Black American Inventors and Technological Pioneers
When it comes to achievements by Black Americans, many people are familiar with the accomplishments of those individuals who have and who continue to set trends in sports, entertainment, and politics. However, many individuals of all races fail to realize the tremendous contributions Black Americans have made in the fields of science and technology.
In fact, many of the inventions that make modern life possible were developed by Black Americans. Although many of the history books in our society do not reflect these facts, it is still true that Black Americans have contributed greatly to the development of modern society.
Although many records of very early inventions have been lost due to wars, slavery, misrepresentation, or simply poor record keeping, the fact remains that Black Americans hold dozens of patents of inventions. Below, I’ve listed many of these inventions. However, although this is not even close to the full list of Black inventors, my list gives the reader a sample of how much Black Americans have contributed to the fields of science and technology.
| Invention | Inventor | Patent Date |
| Amusement Apparatus | J. Wormley | December 19, 1899 |
| Animal Trap | H. Lee | February 12, 1867 |
| Animal Trap (self-setting) | W.S. Campbell | August 30, 1881 |
| Bag Closure | A.L. Ross | June 7th, 1898 |
| Bag Fastener | W.B. Purvis | April 25, 1882 |
| Boiler Alarm | T.O. Conner | August 25, 1896 |
| Boiling Press Apparatus | R. H. Gray | August 25, 1894 |
| Bait Holder | P. Walker | March 8th, 1898 |
| Battery (galvanic battery) | G.T. Woods | August 14, 1881 |
| Bed (folding bed) | L.C. Bailey | July 18, 1889 |
| Bed (guardrail for bed) | L.A. Russell | August 13, 1895 |
| Bicycle Frame | I.R. Johnson | October 10, 1899 |
| Biscuit Cutter | A.P. Ashbome | November 30, 1875 |
| Blind Stop | A.B.Pugsley | July 29, 1890 |
| Boot or Shoe | W. Burwell | November 28, 1899 |
| Bottle | A.C. Richardson | December 12, 1899 |
| Bottle (non-refillable) | R.R Reynolds | May 2nd, 1899 |
| Bottle (caps for) |
|
September 15, 1898 |
| Bracket (supporting) | S.R. Scrottron | September 12, 1893 |
| Brake (electro-magnetic) | G.T. Woods | August 16, 1887 |
| Bread Crumbling Machine | J. Lee | June 4th, 1885 |
| Bridges (safety gate) | H.H. Reynolds | October 7th, 1890 |
| Bridle Bit | L.F. Brown | October 25, 1892 |
| Broom (moisteners) | L.W. Benjamin | May 16, 1893 |
| Brush | L.D. Newman | November 15, 1898 |
| Bucket | J.A. Joyce | April 26, 1898 |
| Canopy | C.Williams | February 2nd, 1892 |
| Car Balancing Device | W.B. Purvis | May 21,1885 |
| Car Coupler | A.J. Beard | November 23, 1897 |
| Car Fender (detachable fender) | S.R. Hearnes | July 4th, 1899 |
| Carpet Beating Device | T.R. Church | July 29, 1884 |
| Carriage (baby carriage) | W.H. Richardson | June 18, 1889 |
| Cash Carrier | A.B. Blackburn | October 23, 1888 |
| Casket Lowering Device | A.C. Richardson | November 13, 1894 |
| Churn | A.C. Richardson | February 17, 1897 |
| Cigarette Roller | J.A. Sweeting | November 30, 1897 |
| Chair (folding chair) | Purdy/Sadgwar | June 11, 1889 |
| Chair ( modern swinging chair) | P. Johnson | November 15, 1881 |
| Chair ( modern rocking chair) | K. Wright | July 21, 1786 |
| Circuits (automatic safety switch) | G. T. Woods | January 1, 1889 |
| Clothes Dryer | G.B. Sampson | June 7th, 1882 |
| Clothes Line Support | J.B. Allen | December 10, 1895 |
| Commode (chamber commode) | T. Elkins | January 9th, 1872 |
| Curtain Rod | S.R. Scrottron | August 30, 1892 |
| Curtain Rod Support | W.S. Grant | August 4th, 1896 |
| Dry Cleaning Process | T. L. Jennings | March 3rd, 1821 |
| Dust Pan | L.P. Ray | August 3rd, 1897 |
| Egg Beater | W. Johnson | February 5th, 1884 |
| Elevator Signaling System | G.T. Woods | October 13, 1896 |
| Elevator Device (floor selector) | J. Cooper | April 2nd, 1897 |
| Envelope Seal | F.W. Leslie | September 21, 1897 |
| Eye Protector Glasses | P. Johnson | November 2nd, 1880 |
| Fastener (key fastener) | F.J. Loudin | January 9th, 1894 |
| Feed Rack | D.W. Shorter | May 17, 1887 |
| Fertilizer Distributer | G.W. Murray | June 5th, 1894 |
| File Holder | T.B. Pinn | August 17, 1894 |
| Fire Escape Ladder (portable ladder) | D. McCree | November 11, 1890 |
| Fire Escape Bracket | C.W. Richey | December 28, 1897 |
| Fire Escape Ladder | J.R. Winters | May 7th, 1878 |
| Fire Extinguisher (sprinkler system) | T. J. Marshall | May 26, 1872 |
| Fishing Device | G. Cook | May 30, 1899 |
| Fountain Pen | W.B. Purvis | January 7th, 1890 |
| Furnace (steam boiler) | G.T. Woods | June 3rd, 1884 |
| Gauge | E.H. Holmes | November 12, 1885 |
| Gas Burner | B.F. Jackson | April 4th, 1889 |
| Guitar | R.F. Fleming | March 3rd, 1886 |
| Gun (spring latch device) | E.R. Lewis | May 3rd. 1887 |
| Horseshoe | O.E. Brown | March 30, 1886 |
| Insect Destroyer | A.C. Richardson | February 23, 1849 |
| Ironing Board | S. Boone | April 26, 1892 |
| Lamp (electric lamp) | L. Lattimore | September 13, 1881 |
| Lawn Mower (rotary blade mower) | J. A. Burr | May 8th, 1899 |
| Lawn Sprinkler | J.H. Smith | May 4th, 1897 |
| Lock (modern mechanism lock) | W.A. Martin | July 23, 1889 |
| Lubricator Device | E. McCoy | October 4th, 1898 |
| Mailbox | P. B. Downing | October 27. 1891 |
| Helicopter (unique design model) | P. E. Williams | November 27, 1962 |
| Messages by Electricity | G. T. Woods | April 7th, 1885 |
| Mop (improved version) | T.W. Stewart | June 13, 1893 |
| Motor (multi-chamber) | J. Gregory | April 26, 1887 |
| Paint Sprayer | W. A. Johnson | December 4th, 1888 |
| Pencil Sharpener | J. L. Love | November 23, 1897 |
| Player Piano Assembly Parts | C.Loft | June 3rd., 1851 |
| Gas Mask | G. A. Morgan | January 15, 1912 |
| Racks (for hats, coats, etc.) | L. H. Latimer | March 24, 1896 |
| Rail Cars (window ventilator) | H. H. Reynolds | April 23, 1883 |
| Rail Way (electric) | W. B. Purvis | May 1, 1894 |
| Refrigerator | J. Stanard | July 14, 1894 |
| Traffic Signal | G. A. Morgan | November 20, 1923 |
| Torpedo Discharge Device | H. Bradberry | December 11, 1945 |
| Thermostat (window thermostat) | D.N. Crosthwait | April 11, 1944 |
| Urinalysis Machine | D.S. Sanderson | July 28, 1970 |
| Venetian Blind Restringer | C.B. Nokes | June 3rd, 1958 |
| Wrench (monkey wrench) | J.A. Johnson | April 18, 1922 |
| Pressure Cooker and Smoker | M.W. Lee | September 29, 1959 |
| Optical Cell | C.E. Weir | February 26, 1963 |
Improvements to Devices Made by Black Americans
In addition to inventing many devices and methods of doing things that affect everyday life, Black Americas have also been at the forefront of improving inventions that were already patented. Some of these devices include the light bulb, the airplane, the cotton gin, the player piano, several new- generation computers, high-capacity computer chips, devices used in cell communication systems, laser digital readout devices, and many types of tools used to develop other machines. Once these machines were developed, many safety devices have been developed to ensure the safety and easy use of patented inventions. Although the list below does not even come close to being a complete listing of Black American innovative ideas, it does highlight some of the inventions that are used in everyday life.
