While many people are familiar with famous inventions such as the light bulb, the cotton gin, and the iPhone, numerous other groundbreaking innovations that make our daily lives easier often go unrecognized. Among the creative minds behind these essential devices are African American inventors. From the traffic light to the ironing board, let’s explore some remarkable contributions from Black inventors that have had a significant impact on our everyday lives.
1. Improved Ironing Board, Invented by Sarah Boone in 1892
The ironing board, a staple in households worldwide, was significantly improved by Sarah Boone, an African American woman born into slavery. Boone was one of the first Black women in U.S. history to receive a patent. In 1892, she enhanced the existing ironing board design, which was a simple horizontal wooden block initially patented in 1858. Boone’s improvements included a narrower and curved board, making it much easier to iron garments, especially women’s clothing. Her innovative design evolved into the modern ironing board that we use today, simplifying a common household chore.
2. Home Security System, Co-Invented by Marie Van Brittan Brown in 1966
Before home security systems became widespread, Marie Van Brittan Brown, an African American nurse, invented an early version to protect her home. Living in Queens, New York, with high crime rates and unreliable police response, Brown sought to create a device that would provide peace of mind. In 1966, she developed a system featuring a camera that could slide into four peepholes in her front door, displaying the view on a monitor inside her home. This innovation allowed her to monitor visitors and improve household security, laying the groundwork for modern security systems.
3. The Three-Light Traffic Signal, Invented by Garrett Morgan in 1923
Garrett Morgan, a Black inventor with only an elementary school education and the son of an enslaved parent, made significant contributions to safety and technology. Among his notable inventions are an improved sewing machine and the gas mask. However, one of his most influential creations is the three-light traffic signal. After witnessing a severe car accident in Cleveland, Ohio, Morgan added a “yield” component to the existing traffic light system, warning drivers of an impending stop. He patented this invention in 1923, and it was adopted widely, becoming the basis for the traffic lights we rely on today.
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4. Refrigerated Trucks, Invented by Frederick McKinley Jones in 1940
Frederick McKinley Jones, an African American inventor with over 60 patents, revolutionized the transportation of perishable goods with his invention of the roof-mounted cooling system for trucks. This system, patented in 1940, allowed goods to be refrigerated during long-distance transportation, ensuring freshness and reducing spoilage. Jones co-founded the U.S. Thermo Control Company, later known as Thermo King, which played a crucial role during World War II by preserving blood, food, and supplies. Today, his invention remains essential in the global food supply chain.
5. Automatic Elevator Doors, Invented by Alexander Miles in 1887
Elevators are a ubiquitous part of modern life, but they were once hazardous due to the manual operation required to close both the shaft and elevator doors. Alexander Miles, an African American inventor, created a solution after his daughter nearly fell down an open elevator shaft. In 1887, he patented a mechanism that allowed elevator doors to open and close automatically, significantly improving safety. Miles’ design is reflected in the automatic doors of contemporary elevators, preventing countless accidents and making vertical travel safer and more efficient.
6. Electret Microphone, Co-Invented by James E. West in 1964
Microphones are indispensable in communication, and many of them use technology co-invented by Dr. James E. West, a Black inventor. In 1960, while working at Bell Labs, West and his German colleague Gerhard Sessler developed the electret microphone. This innovation was more sensitive, compact, and affordable to produce than previous microphones. By 1964, they had patented their invention, which quickly became the industry standard. Electret microphones are now used in a wide array of devices, including telephones, hearing aids, tape recorders, and baby monitors, demonstrating West’s lasting impact on modern technology.
Conclusion
These six Black inventors—Sarah Boone, Marie Van Brittan Brown, Garrett Morgan, Frederick McKinley Jones, Alexander Miles, and James E. West—have made invaluable contributions to everyday life through their innovations. Their inventions, often developed under challenging circumstances, continue to enhance safety, convenience, and connectivity in our daily routines. Celebrating their achievements not only acknowledges their genius but also inspires future generations of inventors from diverse backgrounds to pursue their creative potential and make the world a better place.
