On this day, C. W. Allen invented the self-leveling table, an innovative device designed to maintain a level surface regardless of movement. He was... Continue →
On January 5, 1943, George Washington Carver Day was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt following Carver’s death. This day honors the... Continue →
African American inventor William B. Purvis was granted U.S. Patent No. 419,065 for improvements to the fountain pen. His design helped regulate ink... Continue →
A.B. Blackburn was granted U.S. Patent No. 376,362 for an innovative railway signal on this day in 1888. His invention contributed to improved... Continue →
George Washington Carver, a pioneering Black scientist, inventor, and agricultural chemist, was born into slavery in Diamond, Missouri. He became... Continue →
On January 28, 1944, Matthew Henson was awarded a joint medal by the U.S. Congress in recognition of his role as co-discoverer of the North Pole.... Continue →
On January 29, 1991, Sharon J. Barnes, a chemist at Dow Chemical Company, along with her team, was granted U.S. Patent #4,988,211 for developing a... Continue →
On January 30, 1910, Granville T. Woods, a prolific African American inventor, passed away. Known as the “Black Edison,” Woods held more than 50... Continue →
On February 1, 1887, J. Robinson was granted U.S. Patent No. 356,852 for an innovative design of a dinner pail. This practical invention contributed... Continue →
On February 1, 1897, Alfred L. Cralle, an African American inventor and businessman, was granted U.S. Patent No. 576,395 for the ice cream mold and... Continue →
Inventor Edmond Berger patented the spark plug. Some historical accounts credit Edmond Berger, an African American inventor, with creating an... Continue →
Gertrude E. Downing and William P. Desjardin were granted U.S. Patent No. 3,715,772 on February 13, 1973, for a "Reciprocating Corner and Baseboard... Continue →
African American inventor A.C. Richardson was granted U.S. Patent #466,470 for an innovative butter churn design. His invention improved the... Continue →
H. Grenon, an African American inventor, received U.S. Patent No. 554,867 for a razor stropping device designed to maintain the sharpness of straight... Continue →
John F. Pickering, an inventor from Gonaïves, Haiti, was granted U.S. Patent No. 643,975 for his innovative airship design. His invention featured... Continue →
Inventor Otis Boykin was granted U.S. Patent No. 2,972,726 for an improved electrical resistor. His invention played a vital role in the development... Continue →
On this day, an African American inventor William B. Purvis was granted U.S. Patent No. 273,149 for an improved hand stamp. His design enhanced the... Continue →
African American inventor Richard Spikes patented an early version of the automatic gear shift, a key innovation in automotive technology. His... Continue →
Nigerian computer scientist Philip Emeagwali was awarded the prestigious Gordon Bell Prize—often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of... Continue →
Anna M. Mangin, an African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 470,005 for the pastry fork—a kitchen tool designed to make mixing dough... Continue →
James Rhoden, a prominent African American sculptor known for his abstract and figurative works, was born on this day. Rhoden’s art often explored... Continue →
Eli Whitney received a U.S. patent for the cotton gin, a machine that revolutionized cotton processing by efficiently separating cotton fibers from... Continue →
On this day, Frederick McKinley Jones—an African-American inventor who passed in 1961—was posthumously honored for his groundbreaking... Continue →
On this day, Thomas L. Jennings was formally recognized for his groundbreaking achievement as the first African American to receive a U.S. patent. In... Continue →
On this day, the United States Post Office issued a commemorative stamp honoring Dr. Percy Lavon Julian (1899–1975), a pioneering African American... Continue →
Norbert Rillieux, a pioneering chemical engineer, inventor, and Egyptologist, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. A child of Creole heritage and the... Continue →
Jan Ernst Matzeliger, a Black inventor from Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana (now Suriname), received a patent for his revolutionary shoe-lasting machine on... Continue →
African American inventor T. J. Boyd was granted a U.S. patent for an innovative apparatus designed to quickly detach horses from carriages. His... Continue →
Thomas J. Martin, an African American inventor, was awarded a U.S. patent for an early version of the fire extinguisher. His invention improved fire... Continue →
Dr. James A. Harris, a pioneering African American nuclear chemist, was born on this day. During his tenure at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Harris... Continue →
Inventor W.J. Ballow was granted U.S. Patent No. 601,422 for a “Combined Hatrack and Table.” This innovative design blended functionality and... Continue →
Inventor H.H. Reynolds was granted U.S. Patent No. 275,271 for a Window Ventilator for Railroad Cars. This innovative design improved airflow and... Continue →
A. B. Blackburn, an African American inventor, received U.S. Patent #380,420 for his invention of the spring seat for chairs. This innovation... Continue →
On this day, Gertrude Downing was granted a patent for her innovative corner cleaner attachment, designed to improve vacuum cleaning efficiency by... Continue →
On this day, Percy Julian and George Washington Carver became the first African American inventors inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame,... Continue →
Percy Julian, a pioneering African American chemist, was born in Montgomery, Alabama. Despite facing racial barriers, he earned degrees from DePauw,... Continue →
On April 22, 1919, S.H. Love—a World War I veteran born in 1893 in Colt, Arkansas—was granted a U.S. patent for an improvement to military... Continue →
On April 23, 1856, Granville T. Woods was born in Columbus, Ohio. Often called “The Black Edison,” Woods would go on to become one of the most... Continue →
On April 26, 1898, inventor J.A. Joyce was granted U.S. Patent No. 602,038 for an innovative ore bucket design used in mining operations. His... Continue →
On April 28, 1999, African American inventor George Toliver was awarded U.S. Patent No. 5,897,270 for a novel design of a ship’s propeller that... Continue →
On May 2, 1844, Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, to formerly enslaved parents who escaped through the Underground Railroad. A brilliant... Continue →
Elijah McCoy, born in Colchester, Ontario, to formerly enslaved parents, became one of the most prolific inventors in North America. His... Continue →
On May 4, 1897, inventor J.H. Smith, an African American innovator, was awarded U.S. Patent No. 581,785 for a rotary lawn sprinkler. Smith's... Continue →
On May 5, 1886, African American inventor M.A. Cherry was granted a U.S. patent for an improved design of the tricycle. His innovation featured a... Continue →
Joseph R. Winters, an African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent number 203,517 for a fire escape ladder on May 7, 1878. His innovation... Continue →
By May 9, 1952, researchers had begun widely using cells from Henrietta Lacks—taken without her consent in 1951—to develop a vaccine for polio.... Continue →
On May 17, 1988, Dr. Patricia E. Bath, a pioneering ophthalmologist and inventor, was awarded U.S. Patent No. 4,744,360 for her invention of the... Continue →
On this day in 1871, African American inventor Landrow Bell was granted a U.S. patent Patent #115,153 for an innovative locomotive smoke stack... Continue →
On May 24, 1910, Walter M. Hard, a young Black barber and inventor, patented a mechanical device that significantly improved the reliability of... Continue →
On this day in 1887, Elijah McCoy, a prolific African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 363,529 for a Lubricator for Steam-Engine Safety... Continue →
On this day in 1943, Henrietta Bradberry was granted U.S. Patent No. 2,320,027 for her invention of the “Bed Rack.” This innovative device could... Continue →
Frederick M. Jones, a prolific African American inventor, was granted a patent for a two-cycle gasoline engine on May 29, 1945 (U.S. Patent No.... Continue →
On this day in 1894, G.W. Murray patents Fertilizer Distributor Patent No. 520,889
On this day in 1894, G.W. Murray patents Cotton Chopper, Patent No. 520,888.
On thus day in 1894, G.W. Murray patents Planter, Patent No. 520,887
On this date, Elijah McCoy was granted a patent for the steam engine lubricator (U.S. Patent No. 129,843). This device automatically lubricated steam... Continue →
On this date in 2001, Robert Tools became the first person to receive the AbioCor, a self-contained artificial heart, at Jewish Hospital in... Continue →
On this date in 1904, Dr. Charles Drew, born in Washington, D.C., made groundbreaking contributions to the field of medicine. He attended McGill... Continue →
On this date in 1892, Andrew Beard, an African American inventor, was granted Patent No. 478,271 for his rotary engine design. His invention aimed to... Continue →
On this date in 1971, Henry Sampson, an African American inventor, received a patent for his work related to the cellular phone. He is credited with... Continue →
On this date in 1949, F.M. Jones was granted Patent No. 2,475,841 for an air conditioning unit. This patent was for an invention relating to a... Continue →
On this date in 1949, Patent No. 2475842, was granted to F. M. Jones for a starter generator. This patent relates to a device that functions both as... Continue →
On this date in 1891, inventor J. Standard (sometimes referred to as John Standard) was awarded a patent US455891A for his non-electrical... Continue →
On this date in 1885, Sara E. Goode was awarded a patent 322,177 for the cabinet bed. The cabinet bed was an innovative piece of furniture designed... Continue →
On this date in 1888, Miriam E. Benjamin, an African American school teacher, was granted a Patent number 386,289 for her invention, which was a... Continue →
On this date 1899, L.C. Bailey was granted U.S. Patent #620,286 for the invention of the folding bed. This design allowed the bed to be conveniently... Continue →
Garrett T. Morgan is widely recognized for his significant contribution to safety with the invention of the gas mask. On July 25, 1916, he famously... Continue →
On August 4, 1885, William C. Carter patented an umbrella stand, a simple yet practical design to hold umbrellas, typically in an upright position.... Continue →
on August 10, 1894, George Washington Murray, an African American inventor and politician, read into the Congressional Record a list of 92 patents... Continue →
Inventor, AP Abourne was awarded patent 194,287 for refining coconut oil, 1877
Philip Emeagwali, a Nigerian-American inventor, was born on August 23, 1954, in Akure, Nigeria. He is known for his groundbreaking work in... Continue →
On August 30, 1881, W.S. Campbell patented the self-setting animal trap, which is patent number 246,369. This innovation made it easier for people to... Continue →
On September 2, 1884, John Parker was granted U.S. Patent #304,552 for a "Follower-Screw for Tobacco Presses." This patent was for an innovative... Continue →
James Forten was born on September 2, 1766, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a prominent African American abolitionist, inventor, and... Continue →
On September 4, 1923, George Washington Carver, the renowned agricultural scientist and educator, received the Spingarn Medal. The medal, awarded by... Continue →
Louis Latimer was born on September 4, 1848, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. He was an African American inventor and engineer, best known for his work on... Continue →
On September 5, 1899, J. Ross was granted U.S. Patent No. 632,539 for a Bailing Press. This device was an important innovation in the field of... Continue →
On this date in 1881, Louis Howard Latimer patents his electric lamp with a carbon filament.
On this date in 1852, Inventor Jan E. Matzeliger was born in Dutch Guyana and immigrated to the US in 1878. He patented a shoe lasting machine in... Continue →
Inventor, FW Leslie, patents the envelope seal, 1891
On this dated in 1884, Judy W. Reed patents dough kneader and roller, Patent No. 305,474
Virgie M. Ammons of Eglon, West Virginia "Inside the fireplace chimney is a device called a "Damper". The damper is opened and closed to allow smoke... Continue →
On this date in 1895, W.D. Davis patented an improved riding saddle. Davis invented his saddle while serving as a buffalo soldier, African American... Continue →
On this date in 1890, Humphrey H. Reynolds, patents Safety Gate for Bridges, Patent No. 437,937
ON this date in 1888, Obadiah. B. Clare, patents Trestle, Patent# 390,753
On this date in 1806, Mathematician Benjamin Banneker (74) dies, in Ellicott's Mills, Maryland.
Inventor Isaac R.Johnson patented his frame of a bicycle which can be separated or folded to store in the trunk of a car or other small places. This... Continue →
ON this date in 1898, C.O. Bailiff patented the shampoo headrest. Patent #US612008 A
On this date in 1887, the elevator as well as safety devices for elevators where invented by Alexander Miles, Patent # 371,207
O this date in 1914, Garrett T Morgan patents the gas mask. Patent #US1113675 A
On this date in 1834, Harry Blair patents his corn-planting machine. The planter resembled a wheelbarrow, with a compartment to hold the seed and... Continue →
Patent # 4,618,380 George E. Alcorn (Reston, VA) patents method of fabricating an imaging X-ray spectrometer.
On this date in 1980, Valerie Thomas invented the illusion transmitter. Patent #US4229761.
On this date in 1915, Attorney James L. Curtis named minister of Liberia.
On this date in 1892, Lincoln F. Brown patents Bridle bit. Patent No. 484,994
On this dated in 1806, Benjamin Banneker, inventor and scientist, dies at the age of 74. In 1753, he borrowed a pocket watch from a well-to-do... Continue →
On this date in 1891, P. B. Downing's Street Letter Mail Box patented. Patent No. 462,096 and a patent #462,093 for the mailbox (letterbox).
W.F. Burr patents Switching device Oct.31,1899 Patent # 636,197
ON this date in 1898, C. W. Allen Self-leveling table. Patent No.613,436
On this date in 1896, J. H. Hunter Portable Weighing Scales. Patent No. 570,533
On this date in 1879, T. Elkins puts patents on the refrigerating apparatus. U.S. patent #221,222
Benjamin Banneker was born on this day in Ellicott Mills, Maryland, to a free African American woman and a formerly enslaved father. Despite having... Continue →
On November 10, 1891, prolific African American inventor Granville T. Woods was granted a patent for an electric railway system. Known as the... Continue →
Dr. George R. Carruthers, an African American physicist and inventor, was granted a patent for the Image Converter, a device that helped detect... Continue →
D. McCree, an African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 440,322 for a portable fire escape. His design focused on improving public... Continue →
A.C. Richardson, an African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 529,311 for a casket lowering device. This innovation provided a safer and... Continue →
On this day, Lydia D. Holmes, an African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 2,529,828 for her innovative design of educational wooden... Continue →
Granville T. Woods, a prolific African American inventor known as "the Black Edison," was granted a patent for his Synchronous Multiplex Railway... Continue →
Lyda A. Newman, an African American inventor and women’s rights activist in New York City, was granted U.S. Patent No. 614,335 for an innovative... Continue →
On this day, Garrett T. Morgan, a Black American inventor and entrepreneur, was granted U.S. Patent No. 1,475,024 for his innovative three-position... Continue →
S.H. Love, an African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 1,936,515 for an improved vending machine. His design allowed for better control... Continue →
Andrew Jackson Beard, an African American inventor and former slave, was granted a patent on November 23, 1897, for an improved version of the... Continue →
John Lee Love, an African American inventor, received U.S. Patent No. 594,114 for his design of a portable pencil sharpener. Known as the "Love... Continue →
Marjorie Joyner, an African American inventor and businesswoman, was granted U.S. Patent No. 1,693,515 for her invention of the permanent wave... Continue →
Robert Tools, the first human to receive the AbioCor fully self-contained artificial heart, died at age 59 due to multiple organ failure after... Continue →
Alexander P. Ashbourne, an African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 170,460 for a biscuit cutter. His invention automated the process... Continue →
On December 1, 1874, T. J. Byrd was granted U.S. Patent No. 157,370 for an improvement in car couplings, a device crucial for connecting railroad... Continue →
Marie Van Brittan Brown, a Black American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 3,482,037 for her invention of the first home security system.... Continue →
On this day, Granville T. Woods, often called the “Black Edison,” was granted a patent for his improved telephone transmitter. This device... Continue →
Ralph Gardner-Chavis, born in Cleveland, Ohio, was a pioneering African American chemist whose research played a crucial role in the development of... Continue →
Norbert Rillieux, a free-born Black inventor and chemical engineer from New Orleans, patented his multiple-effect evaporator under vacuum on this... Continue →
Lewis H. Latimer, an accomplished African American inventor and engineer, died on this day in Flushing, New York. He began his career as a draftsman... Continue →
Dr. George F. Grant, an African American dentist, professor, and inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 638,920 for a wooden golf tee. A... Continue →
William Augustus Hinton, a pioneering African American bacteriologist and pathologist, was born on this day. He is best known for developing the... Continue →
On December 15, 1896, Julia Terry Hammonds, an African American inventor from Lebanon, Illinois, was granted U.S. Patent No. 572,985 for her... Continue →
Alice H. Parker, an African American inventor, was granted a patent for a gas-powered central heating system that used natural gas to provide warmth... Continue →
On this day in 1897, inventor C. V. Rickey was granted U.S. Patent No. 596,427 for a fire escape bracket. This innovation contributed to safer... Continue →
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