African American Inventions!
February is in 2 days – so you know what THAT means? Rent, yes. But it’s also African American History Month! In honor of this, I will be looking at inventions by African Americans that made life much easier in the 21st century. Let’s take a look!
The Iron Board
Well, at least the design that we know and love today. Sarah Boone invented this in 1892. Born a slave, she is one of the first African American women to receive a parent in the US. With her additions, she features a narrower and curved design that makes it much easier to iron garments. This was especially helpful for women’s clothes. We still use this design to this day.
Home Security System
Before security systems were even a thing at all, Nurse Mary Brown came up with an early security unit for her own home in 1966. While her husband was away often, she became afraid for her safety in her Queen, New York home. Police at that time were notoriously unreliable and unresponsive, so she look matters into her own hands. She made a device that would hold a camera through the peep hole, with a microphone and a button to notify police. What a great idea!
The 3-traffic light
Black inventor Garrett Morgan, with just an elementary school education, came up with several significant inventions, including the improved sewing machine and even a gas mask. He is known though, for the 3 light traffic light. Being the first African American to have a car in Cleveland, OH, he witnessed many accidents, and realized that a warning system should be in place to slow down vehicles. There are now millions of traffic lights around the world.
Refrigerated Trucks
Frederick Jones can be thanked for preserving food during long travels with the refrigerated truck being invented in 1940. Due to this, he eventually co-founded the thermos control company, later known as Thermo King. The company was critical for the war effort during WWII, supplying blood, food, and sorely needed supplies.
Call ID & Call Waiting
Nobody likes picking up the phone if you don’t know who’s calling – and now we don’t have to thanks to the genius invention of Shirley Jackson in 1970. She was the first black woman to earn a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and helped develop the system while employed at AT&T Bell Laboratories.
Automatic Elevator Doors
Before the rise of automatic elevator doors, people were exposed to climbing several flights of stairs the old fashioned way. This resulted in accidents occurring where people would actually fall down shafts after forgetting to close the door. When this almost happened to Alexander Miles’ daughter, he decided to find a solution. He took out the patent in 1887.
The more you know!