Black Inventors of Technology
- Black scientists have contributed much to industry and medicine.microscope image by guy from Fotolia.com
Black inventors have contributed to assorted industries and scientific fields such as medicine, manufacturing and public safety. Black scientists came from varying backgrounds, which included educators and former slaves, and diverse fields of study. They individually overcame a common obstacle, skin color, finally winning over the public with intellect, innovation and ingenuity. These pioneers paved the way for up and coming young black scientists to continue to work toward improved human health and productivity. - Benjamin Banneker devised the first American clock.CLOCK image by SKYDIVECOP from Fotolia.com
Benjamin Banneker, intrigued with the workings of a watch, designed the very first clock in the United States. Born in 1731, Banneker tried his hand at farming during the Revolutionary War, nurturing crops in areas where plants previously refused to grow. After extensively studying astronomy and weather, Banneker devised his own almanac depicting weather patterns and planting schemes, even sending a copy to Thomas Jefferson. When President George Washington decided to move the Capital, Banneker helped plan the layout of Washington, D.C. from the buildings and monuments to the very streets. The world heralds Benjamin Banneker as the nation's first great black inventor. - Dr. Patricia Bath invented a laser making surgical removal of cataracts obsolete.Ready for surgery image by DGGallery from Fotolia.com
As a girl of 16, Patricia Bath showed great promise, making several contributions to the field of cancer research. Upon receiving her medical degree, Bath conducted research concluding that blacks, compared to the rest of the population, were twice as likely to become blind due to glaucoma. This difference, she claimed, was because of a lack of eye care among the poor, namely blacks. Dr. Bath specialized in ophthalmology, devoting her efforts to cataract research. Alarmed at the dangerous, older surgical method of cataract removal, Dr. Bath devised an instrument she named the "Laserphaco Probe." The device used lasers to obliterate cataracts without employing conventional surgical techniques. - George Washington Carver discovered over 300 ways to use peanuts.peanut image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
George Washington Carver, the son of slaves, completed his education at Iowa Agricultural College. After accepting a faculty position there upon graduation, Carver and his students implemented a method of enriching soil by rotating crops. Crop rotation allowed farmers to plant their fields each growing season on the condition that money crops, such as tobacco and cotton, would grow alternately with soil-enhancing plants such as peanuts. Because farmers began complaining of the surplus of peanuts, Carver devised more than 300 ingenious ways to use those peanuts in products such as ink and shampoo. - Dr. Charles Drew's work led to innovative techniques in blood transfusion.blood transfusion dropper image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
Charles Drew, an all-around student academically and athletically, chose to pursue a medical degree. He developed a method for maintaining the viability of blood plasma. He realized it would last longer for blood transfusions by keeping the fluid portion of blood, called plasma, and the worrisome red blood cells separate. Dr. Drew also theorized that doctors could transfuse only plasma to those not needing whole blood. This would eliminate any deadly interactions between different blood types. Because of his work on blood transfusion, Dr. Drew became director of the first American Red Cross plasma bank. The blood he collected for the blood bank ultimately saved many lives during World War II. - Garrett Morgan invented the first traffic light after witnessing a traffic accident.traffic light image by Mitarart from Fotolia.com
Starting humbly in sewing machine shops, Garrett Morgan accidentally discovered a formula for hair straightener. He did this while attempting to find a formula to lessen the friction on a sewing machine needle. Morgan also invented the precursor to the gas mask for use in firefighting, engineering and chemistry. The gas mask proved its worth during an incident in which Morgan and his brother rescued people trapped in a tunnel after an explosion; however, emergency responders around the country withdrew their orders for the devices after discovering the inventor was black. After witnessing a terrible traffic accident, Morgan realized that traffic lights at intersections would save lives and keep traffic flowing. His model, purchased by General Electric, would serve as a prototype for later traffic signals. - McCoy received a patent for a lawn sprinkler system.Park Sprinkler image by Gary Ng from Fotolia.com
Elijah McCoy, educated in Scotland, showed extreme interest in the inner workings of the steam engines of boats and trains. His first patent was for a steam engine lubricator. McCoy continued to collect patents, thereby becoming one of the most prolific black inventors. Many of his patents involved lubricators, although he also invented a folding ironing board and a lawn sprinkler system. The phrase "The real McCoy" originated when workers in the railroad industry insisted on purchasing only those lubricators made by McCoy and refused imitations.
