How to Invest in Stocks for Beginners
|
|
Investing in stocks has become increasingly more accessible, with beginners able to open an account with little money through a brokerage's website or mobile app.
Owning a stock represents an ownership stake in a company as a common shareholder. Common stocks allow shareholders to vote on company issues, with most companies granting one vote per share. Some companies also offer stockholders dividend payouts, giving investors a stream of income on top of the market value of the stock. These payouts typically change based on the company's profitability.
In 2021, the S&P 500, an index of some of the biggest stocks, gained 27%, driven by gains in some of its largest companies including Meta Platforms Inc. (ticker: FB), Apple Inc. (AAPL), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Alphabet Inc. (GOOG, GOOGL). If you had invested in these companies or the index as a whole through an index fund, your investments would have increased in value considerably last year.
Stocks are considered a risk asset that can provide growth and income to an investment portfolio. This means it's an asset class that carries a high degree of price volatility. With stocks,
beginner investors must consider the degree of risk that they can take. Typically, the more risk in an investment, the greater the potential reward. But investors need to be willing to take the risk of losing money in case high returns don't come. History shows that stocks have been a reliable asset class for strong annual average returns over time.
Here's what else you need to know about investing in stocks:
The first step is for you to open a brokerage account. You need this account to access investments in the stock market.
The next step is to fund your brokerage account by transferring money from your bank account to fill trades of stocks you want to buy. The amount of money you choose to invest depends on your risk tolerance, goals and how much money you're comfortable potentially losing.
Remember that while, over time, the stock market typically increases in value, there can be short-term market fluctuations, which can put your money at risk.
How Much Money Should You Start Investing in the Stock Market?
Several online brokers such as Betterment don't charge fees for a $0 account balance, nor do they require a minimum amount to open a trading account. You can start investing through these brokerages with any amount. Some also offer fractional shares, meaning you don't have to buy an entire share of a company if you can't afford it. Whole shares of Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), for instance, cost more than $3,000 in early 2022, so fractional shares bring that company's stock to the masses.
Discount brokers are a boon for beginners with little money who are often looking to get stock market exposure with smaller portfolios. But a discount broker typically does not provide advice or analysis. Many of these brokers don't require a minimum amount to start an account, while some have a low beginning threshold of $1,000.
Have an Investing Strategy, Especially During Market Volatility
It is normal for the stock market to experience bouts of volatility. During those periods, stocks, even ones considered relatively safe, experience price fluctuations. This can happen when there is uncertainty in the markets and tends to be short-lived.
Daniel Beckerman, president of Beckerman Institutional in Oakhurst, New Jersey, says, "Over the long run, we have seen a 10% or greater downturn in the stock market more frequently than once every two years (on average)." You should prepare to be invested during these rough periods, Beckerman says, if you expect to do well throughout your investment time horizon.
Volatility can certainly be concerning, especially if you are a beginner who hasn't experienced it before. That said, you should put your money in companies that can generate consistently growing revenues and profits over a long period. That way, you have confidence in the company despite the stock's price swings.
The biggest asset young investors have is time, says Sameer Sawaqed, host of "The More We Know," a podcast for Generation Z investors. "Gen Z investors can increase their risk exposure because even if we go through a downturn, we still have 40-plus years on our side for the market to recover before retirement. As a result, we can handle more risk," he says.
When investors have conviction in a company and its stock price falls, they may see this as an opportunity to buy more of the stock at a better price.
How to Choose Which Investments to MakeBeckerman says that by looking at a company's metrics, you can gain insight into how companies and industries are performing.
"For example, when price-earnings or price-sales ratios are elevated, we can get some sense as to when certain stocks or industries are priced in bubble territory," he says.
Valuation is an important factor when stock picking. Company profitability, earnings growth prospects, quality of management and industry performance are some factors investors must
consider when evaluating a stock's worth to determine whether it is undervalued or overvalued. Stock valuations, Beckerman says, provide investors with some color around the sentiment regarding various industry groups.
A stock's price can be different than its intrinsic value. To know how to value a stock, investors must dig into the company's financial reporting history, understand the company's role in its industry and how it fares among its competitors, among many other factors.
There are two ways to secure profits from stock investing: selling shares when their market value goes up and dividend payments. Dividends are payments in either cash or stock made by the company to the shareholder on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Dividend payments are a way a publicly traded company shares its wealth with its investors. Investors who want a steady stream of income from their stock portfolios invest in companies that share their profits in the form of dividends.
Dividends are known to be a reliable form of income because they can be distributed even if the company doesn't make a profit. Investors can either secure dividends as income or reinvest them for a greater return in the long run. Many dividend stocks have an established record of strong cash flows, carry low debt and offer competitive yields.
Invest on Your Own or With a Financial Advisor?
Investing in stocks can be done in many ways, but before you start investing, it's important to determine what type of investor you are. Decide whether you want to take a do-it-yourself approach or work with a professional financial advisor who can advise you through your wealth management.
To take the do-it-yourself approach and manage your own investments, you can open an online brokerage account. If you're unsure about where to start, consider opening an account with a robo advisor, which will do some of the heavy lifting at a lower cost.
Once you open an online brokerage account, you're asked questions to determine an investment strategy that will assist in your investment decisions. These questions involve knowing your specific financial goals – such as retirement or a big purchase – and your risk tolerance, which is the degree of market variability you can withstand in your investments.
Stephen Mathai-Davis, co-founder and CEO of Q.ai, an artificial intelligence robo investing platform, says investors should have a core goal before they start investing. This goal will drive investors' decision-making processes.
"If you are looking to retire early, you are going to skew your investing to high-growth stocks because those are the investment vehicles that generate the highest return," he says.
The categories that are favored with this strategy are technology and consumer tech stocks, Mathai-Davis says.
Alternatively, to steadily grow your wealth, Mathai-Davis says it may be worth considering "stocks that offer solid cash flows, or dividends, while also limiting your exposure to highly volatile stocks."
If you're not sure how to materialize your long-term financial goals and where to start with your investing plan, working with a financial advisor may be right for you.
Financial advisors can protect you from making decisions that may not work to your benefit. If you want to buy individual stocks, you must understand that they can carry much more risk than other securities such as mutual funds or exchange-traded funds. That said, if you are not sure how much of your money you should allocate toward stocks, you can work with a financial advisor to develop a strategy.
Stocks for Beginner InvestorsThinking you can consistently beat the market can be a fool's errand, but investing in high-quality stocks such as blue chips and dividend-yielding companies is often a good strategy for beginners.
One reason investors opt for blue chips is their track record of stability and because they tend to produce dividends. Famous blue-chip companies include Microsoft, Coca-Cola Co. (KO) and Procter & Gamble Co. (PG). Coca-Cola, for example, generates a dividend yield of 2.8% – meaning an investor would earn 2.8% of their investment level in dividends over the next year at the current
dividend rate – and the stock is less volatile, as its share price has hovered between $48 and $61 during the past 52 weeks. Dividends can generate much-needed income for investors.
Long-term investors who take advantage of a buy-and-hold strategy by going long on stocks can reap the benefits of long-term growth in market value. For example, if you bought shares of AT&T Inc. (T) at its initial public offering price of $1.25 in 1984, your investment would be worth far more than what you put in, as the stock now trades at about $25 per share and has been paying dividends for decades.
When to Sell a Stock
Knowing when to let a stock go – without deciding in a panic – is a key skill for savvy investors.
"Emotions play one of the biggest roles in our psyche with investing," Sawaqed says.
Sawaqed suggests that investors shouldn't fall in love with a stock because businesses change and companies can fail.
"You must do your due diligence extensively. This means creating a fundamental thesis and trusting your stock pick based on that research, and when the business changes materially (sales cut in half, executive team cuts, fraud, et cetera), you have to understand when to cut your losses and leave emotion out of it," Sawaqed says.
Following the news cycle that surrounds a company's stock performance can be overwhelming. Instead, experts say to ignore the short-term noise, so you can maintain perspective within your strategy for the long run.
Legendary investor Warren Buffett advises people to buy and hold stocks for several decades instead of selling and repurchasing them constantly. At a minimum, a prospective stock should be one that an investor would own for at least 10 years, according to his philosophy.
Robinhood Provides Tools To Help You Invest. Start Buying/Selling/Trading Stocks & Crypto!
Open an AccountAre you a Financial Advisor?
Expand your practice with insights from U.S. News
(26) Financial Literacy: Mellody Hobson at TEDxMidwest - YouTube
Owning a stock represents an ownership stake in a company as a common shareholder. Common stocks allow shareholders to vote on company issues, with most companies granting one vote per share. Some companies also offer stockholders dividend payouts, giving investors a stream of income on top of the market value of the stock. These payouts typically change based on the company's profitability.
In 2021, the S&P 500, an index of some of the biggest stocks, gained 27%, driven by gains in some of its largest companies including Meta Platforms Inc. (ticker: FB), Apple Inc. (AAPL), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Alphabet Inc. (GOOG, GOOGL). If you had invested in these companies or the index as a whole through an index fund, your investments would have increased in value considerably last year.
Stocks are considered a risk asset that can provide growth and income to an investment portfolio. This means it's an asset class that carries a high degree of price volatility. With stocks,
beginner investors must consider the degree of risk that they can take. Typically, the more risk in an investment, the greater the potential reward. But investors need to be willing to take the risk of losing money in case high returns don't come. History shows that stocks have been a reliable asset class for strong annual average returns over time.
Here's what else you need to know about investing in stocks:
- Where to start investing in stocks.
- How much should you start investing?
- Have an investing strategy.
- How to choose which investments to make.
- Invest on your own or with a financial advisor?
- Stocks for beginner investors.
- When to sell a stock.
The first step is for you to open a brokerage account. You need this account to access investments in the stock market.
The next step is to fund your brokerage account by transferring money from your bank account to fill trades of stocks you want to buy. The amount of money you choose to invest depends on your risk tolerance, goals and how much money you're comfortable potentially losing.
Remember that while, over time, the stock market typically increases in value, there can be short-term market fluctuations, which can put your money at risk.
How Much Money Should You Start Investing in the Stock Market?
Several online brokers such as Betterment don't charge fees for a $0 account balance, nor do they require a minimum amount to open a trading account. You can start investing through these brokerages with any amount. Some also offer fractional shares, meaning you don't have to buy an entire share of a company if you can't afford it. Whole shares of Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), for instance, cost more than $3,000 in early 2022, so fractional shares bring that company's stock to the masses.
Discount brokers are a boon for beginners with little money who are often looking to get stock market exposure with smaller portfolios. But a discount broker typically does not provide advice or analysis. Many of these brokers don't require a minimum amount to start an account, while some have a low beginning threshold of $1,000.
Have an Investing Strategy, Especially During Market Volatility
It is normal for the stock market to experience bouts of volatility. During those periods, stocks, even ones considered relatively safe, experience price fluctuations. This can happen when there is uncertainty in the markets and tends to be short-lived.
Daniel Beckerman, president of Beckerman Institutional in Oakhurst, New Jersey, says, "Over the long run, we have seen a 10% or greater downturn in the stock market more frequently than once every two years (on average)." You should prepare to be invested during these rough periods, Beckerman says, if you expect to do well throughout your investment time horizon.
Volatility can certainly be concerning, especially if you are a beginner who hasn't experienced it before. That said, you should put your money in companies that can generate consistently growing revenues and profits over a long period. That way, you have confidence in the company despite the stock's price swings.
The biggest asset young investors have is time, says Sameer Sawaqed, host of "The More We Know," a podcast for Generation Z investors. "Gen Z investors can increase their risk exposure because even if we go through a downturn, we still have 40-plus years on our side for the market to recover before retirement. As a result, we can handle more risk," he says.
When investors have conviction in a company and its stock price falls, they may see this as an opportunity to buy more of the stock at a better price.
How to Choose Which Investments to MakeBeckerman says that by looking at a company's metrics, you can gain insight into how companies and industries are performing.
"For example, when price-earnings or price-sales ratios are elevated, we can get some sense as to when certain stocks or industries are priced in bubble territory," he says.
Valuation is an important factor when stock picking. Company profitability, earnings growth prospects, quality of management and industry performance are some factors investors must
consider when evaluating a stock's worth to determine whether it is undervalued or overvalued. Stock valuations, Beckerman says, provide investors with some color around the sentiment regarding various industry groups.
A stock's price can be different than its intrinsic value. To know how to value a stock, investors must dig into the company's financial reporting history, understand the company's role in its industry and how it fares among its competitors, among many other factors.
There are two ways to secure profits from stock investing: selling shares when their market value goes up and dividend payments. Dividends are payments in either cash or stock made by the company to the shareholder on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Dividend payments are a way a publicly traded company shares its wealth with its investors. Investors who want a steady stream of income from their stock portfolios invest in companies that share their profits in the form of dividends.
Dividends are known to be a reliable form of income because they can be distributed even if the company doesn't make a profit. Investors can either secure dividends as income or reinvest them for a greater return in the long run. Many dividend stocks have an established record of strong cash flows, carry low debt and offer competitive yields.
Invest on Your Own or With a Financial Advisor?
Investing in stocks can be done in many ways, but before you start investing, it's important to determine what type of investor you are. Decide whether you want to take a do-it-yourself approach or work with a professional financial advisor who can advise you through your wealth management.
To take the do-it-yourself approach and manage your own investments, you can open an online brokerage account. If you're unsure about where to start, consider opening an account with a robo advisor, which will do some of the heavy lifting at a lower cost.
Once you open an online brokerage account, you're asked questions to determine an investment strategy that will assist in your investment decisions. These questions involve knowing your specific financial goals – such as retirement or a big purchase – and your risk tolerance, which is the degree of market variability you can withstand in your investments.
Stephen Mathai-Davis, co-founder and CEO of Q.ai, an artificial intelligence robo investing platform, says investors should have a core goal before they start investing. This goal will drive investors' decision-making processes.
"If you are looking to retire early, you are going to skew your investing to high-growth stocks because those are the investment vehicles that generate the highest return," he says.
The categories that are favored with this strategy are technology and consumer tech stocks, Mathai-Davis says.
Alternatively, to steadily grow your wealth, Mathai-Davis says it may be worth considering "stocks that offer solid cash flows, or dividends, while also limiting your exposure to highly volatile stocks."
If you're not sure how to materialize your long-term financial goals and where to start with your investing plan, working with a financial advisor may be right for you.
Financial advisors can protect you from making decisions that may not work to your benefit. If you want to buy individual stocks, you must understand that they can carry much more risk than other securities such as mutual funds or exchange-traded funds. That said, if you are not sure how much of your money you should allocate toward stocks, you can work with a financial advisor to develop a strategy.
Stocks for Beginner InvestorsThinking you can consistently beat the market can be a fool's errand, but investing in high-quality stocks such as blue chips and dividend-yielding companies is often a good strategy for beginners.
One reason investors opt for blue chips is their track record of stability and because they tend to produce dividends. Famous blue-chip companies include Microsoft, Coca-Cola Co. (KO) and Procter & Gamble Co. (PG). Coca-Cola, for example, generates a dividend yield of 2.8% – meaning an investor would earn 2.8% of their investment level in dividends over the next year at the current
dividend rate – and the stock is less volatile, as its share price has hovered between $48 and $61 during the past 52 weeks. Dividends can generate much-needed income for investors.
Long-term investors who take advantage of a buy-and-hold strategy by going long on stocks can reap the benefits of long-term growth in market value. For example, if you bought shares of AT&T Inc. (T) at its initial public offering price of $1.25 in 1984, your investment would be worth far more than what you put in, as the stock now trades at about $25 per share and has been paying dividends for decades.
When to Sell a Stock
Knowing when to let a stock go – without deciding in a panic – is a key skill for savvy investors.
"Emotions play one of the biggest roles in our psyche with investing," Sawaqed says.
Sawaqed suggests that investors shouldn't fall in love with a stock because businesses change and companies can fail.
"You must do your due diligence extensively. This means creating a fundamental thesis and trusting your stock pick based on that research, and when the business changes materially (sales cut in half, executive team cuts, fraud, et cetera), you have to understand when to cut your losses and leave emotion out of it," Sawaqed says.
Following the news cycle that surrounds a company's stock performance can be overwhelming. Instead, experts say to ignore the short-term noise, so you can maintain perspective within your strategy for the long run.
Legendary investor Warren Buffett advises people to buy and hold stocks for several decades instead of selling and repurchasing them constantly. At a minimum, a prospective stock should be one that an investor would own for at least 10 years, according to his philosophy.
Robinhood Provides Tools To Help You Invest. Start Buying/Selling/Trading Stocks & Crypto!
Open an AccountAre you a Financial Advisor?
Expand your practice with insights from U.S. News
(26) Financial Literacy: Mellody Hobson at TEDxMidwest - YouTube
40 Black Inventors That Changed the World
African Americans and other black inventor have contributed much to various industries over the decades. Here we’ll celebrate just a few of their accomplishments.Did you know that Philip Downing invented the street mailbox? I’ll bet you didn’t know that Joseph H. Smith invented the sprinkler.
Last year, we briefly wrote about the incredible women behind the Hidden Figures book and a recent major motion picture. Luckily, there are many more cases just like theirs in U.S. and world history.
What kind of contributions to science and tech have black inventors made over the years?
Many of these innovations and inventions are integral to our society and impressive accomplishments on their own. Yet, despite a strong racial bias that continues to this day, these bright minds overcame intense and longstanding disadvantages to benefit the system that oftentimes overlooked their capabilities, potential, and even humanity.
For that reason, we think they deserve extra special consideration. Join us in celebrating these peoples’ intense determination, intelligence, and skill against all odds.
Black History Month Focus: Black InventorsWhile we often write about tech giants like Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg, many people (with more disadvantages and fewer advantages) advance the tech landscape. As recent films like Hidden Figures illuminated, the integral work African Americans have performed throughout U.S. and world history is, sadly, often overlooked.
Beyond advancements in tech, black inventors adapted everyday items to make life easier. Some, like Madam C.J. Walker, even paved the road for modern entrepreneurial endeavors.
As a result of my research, I have categorized each inventor into the industry in which they worked. You’ll find 40 black inventors in different categories as below:
Shirley A. Jackson | NationalMedals.orgTouch-tone Telephones, Supercomputers, and Netcom – oh my!Black inventors made many marks in the fields of computers, telephones, and the Internet. Mark Dean, a noted IBM engineer, led the design team for the ISA bus. He also spearheaded the color computer monitor and was a collaborator on the first gigahertz chip. This eventually allowed computers to connect to devices like printers, monitors, etc.
Similarly to other black women in history, Shirley Jackson, pictured above, contributed multiple advances in her fields. Her work led to fiber optics, touch-tone telephones, caller id, call waiting, and even solar cells.
Otis Boykin invented the pacemaker and also worked with IBM computers. He invented more than 25 electronic devices including chemical air filters, burglar-proof cash registers, and electronic resistors that control missiles.
Dr. Philip Emeagwali | Coleman UniversityDr. Philip Emeagwali is sometimes credited with inventing the world’s first supercomputer. Capable of performing 3.1 billion calculations per second, Philip’s work is often associated with the advent of the Internet as we know it. However, there has been some discourse as to his actual contributions to computer and network development over the years.
Lauded as telecommunications entrepreneur and pioneer, Emmit McHenry founded Netcom Solutions. But black inventors also gave us technological building blocks and devices we still use today.
The Woman Behind Skype, MagicJack, and More!
Dr. Marian Croak | BlackDoctor.orgSkype, MagicJack, Vonage, and other Internet-based audio/video and text communication applications wouldn’t be around if not for the VOIP technology. Voice Over Internet Protocol was invented by Dr. Marian Croak, an African American Ph.D. holder in quantitative analysis from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Croak started her career at AT&T where she worked for over 30 years and served as Senior Vice President of Research and Development of the company. She predicted that IP and the Internet would be a hit which motivated her to develop a technology that would transform the Internet.
And, voila! Thanks to her, we now enjoy the perks of VOIP like Skype calls, video conference, and online messaging.
Dr. Croak holds over 125 patents in VOIP technology and manages more than 2,000 engineers and computer scientists responsible for AT&T’s enterprise and consumer wireline and mobility services. She’s also currently serving as Google’s Vice President of Engineering.
Video Games & AnimationOne of the very first cartridge-based video game systems came from Gerald A. Lawson. Jerry, as he was called, worked at Fairchild Semiconductor in the 1970s. He also belonged to the Homebrew Computer Club alongside Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. While there, Jerry helped invent the Fairchild Channel F, as pictured below.
Lisa Gelobter helped develop early web animation that led to the advent of Shockwave. She also worked with online video via Hulu, Joost, and Brightcove. Her work even took her to the White House, serving as Chief Digital Service Offer in the Department of Education.
Some of the most famous animations in history came from Marc Hannah. Having worked on iconic Hollywood films like Jurassic Park, Marc co-founded Silicon Graphics in 1982. He also created unique programs including Indigo, Indy graphics, and Personal IRIS.
Hannah’s company’s technology helped create Terminator 2. The intro for “Monday Night Football” used his programs, as well as various military, engineering, and research initiatives.
James E. West | CPNASSound & Home SecurityHave you ever used a microphone? Then you need to thank James E. West. James and Gerhard M. Sessler developed the “electroacoustic transducer electret microphone” in the 1960s.
Their concept was so good that 90% of microphones used today follow the original design. Other black inventors made forays into the audio/visual world, too.
Furthermore, what has become modern-day home security systems all started with a black woman.
Marie Van Brittan Brown wanted to feel safer at home. She developed a home security system using peepholes, cameras, and a radio-controlled wireless system.
The system relayed images to a monitor. It also enabled the person watching the monitor to communicate with the person being filmed via two-way microphones. A remote control also allowed Marie to lock or unlock the door at a distance.
This paved the way for modern closed-circuit television and home security as we know it.
Small Changes Revolutionized Agriculture, Medicine, and KitchensDr. Jane Cooke Wright was the first African American woman to be elected as the president of the New York Cancer Society, making her the highest-ranked African American woman at a nationally recognized medical institution.
Dr. Wright is widely known in the medical community for her contribution to the development of chemotherapy treatment. She introduced the technique of using human tissue cultures in testing chemotherapeutic drugs instead of mice.
Dr. Wright also implemented a comprehensive program to study stroke, heart disease, and cancer, and created another program to instruct doctors in chemotherapy in the late 1960s.
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright | History of MedicineMany people might know Charles Drew for his contribution to medtech. In his short life of only 46 years, Charles revolutionized blood storage. His refrigerated “blood mobiles” stored blood at a temperature to prolong its shelf life. This further revolutionized blood storage and plasma banks for WWII.
Echoing Charles’ legacy of refrigeration techniques, John Standard patented an improvement to the refrigerator in 1891. The non-electrical solution used an ice-filled section that chilled contents. Before that in 1889, he also conceived an oil stove that conserved space. This made the stove top cooking method more versatile and available.
Innovations like these continued in other industries, too. The keen attention to accessibility, ease of use, and maintenance yielded major “quality of life” jumps.
Historically, black inventors found ways to improve existing devices to make life easier for everyone. Consider John Burr. Though he did not invent the lawnmower, he found a way to enhance it.
Having worked as a farm equipment repairman and steelworker, John knew his way around machines. He devised a rotary blade mower which he patented in 1898. His mower was more maneuverable, clogged less, and could get a closer clip on grass blades.
In fact, the design hasn’t deviated much compared to various manual rotary mowers still used today.
Way More Than Just The “Peanut Butter Guy”Joseph and John weren’t the only black inventors involved in agriculture. George Washington Carver, though famous for his idea of peanut butter, did far more than that.
Recruited by Booker T. Washington for the Tuskegee Institute, George did extensive work and study on agriculture. He wanted to find a way to ameliorate the damage done by exhaustive cotton farming. The first step was to rehabilitate the soil in southern farms. So George taught farmers about crop rotation and fertilization.
After conducting studies on which crops thrive in various areas, his answer came in the form of peanuts. As a result of his research and work, peanuts emerged in more than 300 products.
This move toward the shelled legume not only helped the soil, it bettered the economy, too.
Space Exploration, Physics, 3D Tech, and . . . Super Soakers?One of the most iconic toys of the 1990s came from NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson. He worked in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA, on the Cassini mission to Saturn, and the Jupiter Galileo mission. He also served in the Air Force.
His current work focuses on the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter. Lonnie aims to convert solar energy into electricity using this advanced heat engine with twice the efficacy of current methods. Lonnie continues a long history of African American advances in aerospace, physics, and even early 3D tech.
George Carruthers created the ultraviolet camera (also known as the spectograph). NASA used this for the Apollo 16 flight in 1972 to examine Earth’s atmosphere. Due to its inherent abilities, NASA captured UV images of more than 550 nebulae, galaxies, and stars.
Another George, George E. Alcorn, innovated imaging x-ray tech in the form of the spectrometer. The thermomigration of aluminum enabled the device to better show material compositions.
Perhaps one of the most influential black scientists, Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. collaborated on the Manhattan Project.
He worked with Eugene Wigner to develop the Wilkins effect and the Wigner-Wilkins spectrum. His work also involved the design and development of nuclear reactors for the purpose of generating electrical power.
Kathleen Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson | BMWKHidden Figures Extends Beyond the Apollo MissionsBlack women also made huge contributions to the various fields of science.
The actual women portrayed in the film Hidden Figures are Dorothy Vaughan, Kathleen Johnson, and Mary Jackson. Gifted scientific minds, these three women were integral in the developing the math behind NASA’s first successful space missions.
Their legacy continues with practical applications from modern black women like Dr. Patricia Bath. She is the first black woman to complete an ophthalmology residency.
Patricia is also the first black female doctor to get a medical patent. Her invention, the Laserphaco Probe, uses laser technology to more precisely and less painfully treat cataracts.
Valerie Thomas originally worked at NASA as a data analyst. She oversaw the Landsat program creation and conceived real-time computer data systems. As a result of her work there, she patented the Illusion Transmitter in 1980.
Though low tech, this early 3D prototype uses concave mirrors on both ends to transmit and produce optical illusion images.
The device was first used to observe Haley’s Comet and space events. But Valerie’s techniques also appear in many modern televisions and other devices, too.
Due to its usefulness and intelligent design, NASA still uses this kind of technology today.
Annie J. Easley has spent over three decades of her career working with NASA. She’s one of the first black computer programmers to work on alternative-energy technologies, energy-conservation systems, and the Centaur launch system.
That time, there were 2,500 employees under NASA but only Easley and three others were black. In her 34 years of service, Easley was laterally transferred thrice but never received any promotion.
Black Inventors Used Automation as Early as the 1800sAutomation isn’t reserved for the 20th and 21st centuries. Jan Ernst Matzeliger patented an automated shoemaker as early as 1883. Due to his design, the machine streamlined the process of connecting the leather to each part of the sole.
With rapid efficiency, the machine could make up to 700 pairs of shoes per day. This drove the cost of shoe production down drastically. It also increased shoe availability and decreased shoe cost.
Despite his unfortunate death at only 37, his invention revolutionized shoemaking. It was also a crucial first step towards our future of automation.
But Jan wasn’t the only black inventor who saw the ways automation could make life easier. Alexander Miles gave the world the incredible gift of automatic elevator doors. George T. Sampson gave us the mechanical dryer in 1892 and a sled propeller in 1885.
Inventor Richard Spikes gave us the automatic gear shift in 1932. He also conceived many other innovations like the multiple barrel machine gun, a beer keg tap, and automatic safety brakes.
But my favorite inventor on this list has to be Elijah McCoy.
A certified mechanical engineer, Elijah worked primarily on railroad projects. He developed a method of automating train lubrication using a lubricating cup. This cup dripped oil in the right location at the right time.
His invention was so popular that many people tried to copy it. It has been suggested that this is the origin of the phrase “The Real McCoy”.
Did you know that?
A Black Inventor is Responsible for Several Things You Use DailyNecessity is the mother of invention, but simplicity is key. Black inventors Lloyd Ray and Sarah Boone recognized this. They invented the dustpan and the ironing board respectively.
Mary and Mildred Davidson invented the toilet paper holder. Philip Downing invented the street mailbox. In fact, black inventors conceived many things we use on a daily basis.
Familiar with traffic lights and the cycle between red, yellow, and green? The credit for the innovative addition of the yield or “yellow” light goes to Garrett Morgan. He also developed a gas mask prototype called a “safety hood” in 1914.
Due to racial tension in the southern U.S., Garrett hired a white actor to play the “inventor” while Garrett, himself, acted as the sidekick.
He demonstrated the effectiveness of his invention, seeing robust sales numbers thanks to his strategy. As a result of its efficacy, it was developed into gas masks used in WWI to protect soldiers from gas warfare.
Alice H. Parker revolutionized the way we heat our living or working spaces. Before her innovation of the natural gas heating furnace, wood burning furnaces were the only way to do it. As a result of her preliminary designs, other inventors devised modern thermostat technology.
The Edison Connection: Latimer and Woods
Lewis Latimer | Queens Borough Public Library, Long Island DivisionMany black inventors worked hand-in-hand with more famous, often white inventors. Lewis Latimer, for example, collaborated with both Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell.
He developed the carbon filament in modern light bulbs and helped design Bell’s telephone. His patents also include railroad car water closets and the electric lamp.
Speaking of Edison, inventor Granville T. Woods earned the nickname “Black Edison” for his numerous contributions.
His first patent came in 1889 for an improvement to steam boiler furnaces. Due to his acumen in the industry, many of his subsequent inventions and patents revolved around electrical devices.
One of his most well-known inventions was the multiplex telegraph or the “induction telegraph” from 1887.
This allowed people to communicate over telegraph wires, thus expediting transmissions. Due to the increased speed of communications, his invention reduced accidents, too.
He also patented an improvement to established air-brake systems from 1902 to 1905. Ultimately, he invented 15 total appliances for electric railways and held almost 60 patents.
A Black Inventor’s Legacy led to Modern Menstrual ProductsMary Beatrice Davidson Kenner might be the least noted black inventor on this list. And yet, her contributions, like many here, revolutionized everyday living. Kenner invented things for the love of inventing, but also to serve herself and the people in her life. In fact, her family has a history of inventorship including her father, sister, and maternal grandfather.
Born in 1912, she made her first attempt at inventing a self-oiling door hinge to stop a squeaky door from waking her up at night when she was just six years old. She carried this curious spirit with her throughout her life into college. Though she had to give up her spot at Howard University due to financial issues, Kenner kept on inventing.
But it wasn’t until 1975 that Kenner had saved enough money to file her first patent for one of her most influential inventions.
For all my menstruating readers out there, imagine a world without modern tampons and pads. Well, Kenner was the one who revolutionized this market with her sanitary napkin belt.
This belt featured a moisture-proof and built-in napkin pocket and it was adjustable. Kenner intended the belt to mitigate menstrual stains and leaking to protect clothes.
When she passed in 2016, Kenner had filed five patents — more than any other black woman in history so far.
And it Doesn’t Stop ThereModern day black inventors, as they always have, come in the form of engineers, scientists, and young people.
Many black women in tech are shaping the future of computer science. Gitanjali Rao, a 12-year old Colorado student, invented a lead detector in response to the Flint, MI water crisis. 10-year-old Bishop Curry V invented a device to help prevent infant deaths in hot cars.
With great examples throughout black history to shine the way, black inventors will keep making advances.
Who are your favorite African American/black inventors?African Americans and other black inventor have contributed much to various industries over the decades. Here we’ll celebrate just a few of their accomplishments.Did you know that Philip Downing invented the street mailbox? I’ll bet you didn’t know that Joseph H. Smith invented the sprinkler.
Last year, we briefly wrote about the incredible women behind the Hidden Figures book and a recent major motion picture. Luckily, there are many more cases just like theirs in U.S. and world history.
What kind of contributions to science and tech have black inventors made over the years?
Many of these innovations and inventions are integral to our society and impressive accomplishments on their own. Yet, despite a strong racial bias that continues to this day, these bright minds overcame intense and longstanding disadvantages to benefit the system that oftentimes overlooked their capabilities, potential, and even humanity.
For that reason, we think they deserve extra special consideration. Join us in celebrating these peoples’ intense determination, intelligence, and skill against all odds.
Black History Month Focus: Black InventorsWhile we often write about tech giants like Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg, many people (with more disadvantages and fewer advantages) advance the tech landscape. As recent films like Hidden Figures illuminated, the integral work African Americans have performed throughout U.S. and world history is, sadly, often overlooked.
Beyond advancements in tech, black inventors adapted everyday items to make life easier. Some, like Madam C.J. Walker, even paved the road for modern entrepreneurial endeavors.
As a result of my research, I have categorized each inventor into the industry in which they worked. You’ll find 40 black inventors in different categories as below:
Shirley A. Jackson | NationalMedals.orgTouch-tone Telephones, Supercomputers, and Netcom – oh my!Black inventors made many marks in the fields of computers, telephones, and the Internet. Mark Dean, a noted IBM engineer, led the design team for the ISA bus. He also spearheaded the color computer monitor and was a collaborator on the first gigahertz chip. This eventually allowed computers to connect to devices like printers, monitors, etc.
Similarly to other black women in history, Shirley Jackson, pictured above, contributed multiple advances in her fields. Her work led to fiber optics, touch-tone telephones, caller id, call waiting, and even solar cells.
Otis Boykin invented the pacemaker and also worked with IBM computers. He invented more than 25 electronic devices including chemical air filters, burglar-proof cash registers, and electronic resistors that control missiles.
Dr. Philip Emeagwali | Coleman UniversityDr. Philip Emeagwali is sometimes credited with inventing the world’s first supercomputer. Capable of performing 3.1 billion calculations per second, Philip’s work is often associated with the advent of the Internet as we know it. However, there has been some discourse as to his actual contributions to computer and network development over the years.
Lauded as telecommunications entrepreneur and pioneer, Emmit McHenry founded Netcom Solutions. But black inventors also gave us technological building blocks and devices we still use today.
The Woman Behind Skype, MagicJack, and More!
Dr. Marian Croak | BlackDoctor.orgSkype, MagicJack, Vonage, and other Internet-based audio/video and text communication applications wouldn’t be around if not for the VOIP technology. Voice Over Internet Protocol was invented by Dr. Marian Croak, an African American Ph.D. holder in quantitative analysis from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Croak started her career at AT&T where she worked for over 30 years and served as Senior Vice President of Research and Development of the company. She predicted that IP and the Internet would be a hit which motivated her to develop a technology that would transform the Internet.
And, voila! Thanks to her, we now enjoy the perks of VOIP like Skype calls, video conference, and online messaging.
Dr. Croak holds over 125 patents in VOIP technology and manages more than 2,000 engineers and computer scientists responsible for AT&T’s enterprise and consumer wireline and mobility services. She’s also currently serving as Google’s Vice President of Engineering.
Video Games & AnimationOne of the very first cartridge-based video game systems came from Gerald A. Lawson. Jerry, as he was called, worked at Fairchild Semiconductor in the 1970s. He also belonged to the Homebrew Computer Club alongside Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. While there, Jerry helped invent the Fairchild Channel F, as pictured below.
Lisa Gelobter helped develop early web animation that led to the advent of Shockwave. She also worked with online video via Hulu, Joost, and Brightcove. Her work even took her to the White House, serving as Chief Digital Service Offer in the Department of Education.
Some of the most famous animations in history came from Marc Hannah. Having worked on iconic Hollywood films like Jurassic Park, Marc co-founded Silicon Graphics in 1982. He also created unique programs including Indigo, Indy graphics, and Personal IRIS.
Hannah’s company’s technology helped create Terminator 2. The intro for “Monday Night Football” used his programs, as well as various military, engineering, and research initiatives.
James E. West | CPNASSound & Home SecurityHave you ever used a microphone? Then you need to thank James E. West. James and Gerhard M. Sessler developed the “electroacoustic transducer electret microphone” in the 1960s.
Their concept was so good that 90% of microphones used today follow the original design. Other black inventors made forays into the audio/visual world, too.
Furthermore, what has become modern-day home security systems all started with a black woman.
Marie Van Brittan Brown wanted to feel safer at home. She developed a home security system using peepholes, cameras, and a radio-controlled wireless system.
The system relayed images to a monitor. It also enabled the person watching the monitor to communicate with the person being filmed via two-way microphones. A remote control also allowed Marie to lock or unlock the door at a distance.
This paved the way for modern closed-circuit television and home security as we know it.
Small Changes Revolutionized Agriculture, Medicine, and KitchensDr. Jane Cooke Wright was the first African American woman to be elected as the president of the New York Cancer Society, making her the highest-ranked African American woman at a nationally recognized medical institution.
Dr. Wright is widely known in the medical community for her contribution to the development of chemotherapy treatment. She introduced the technique of using human tissue cultures in testing chemotherapeutic drugs instead of mice.
Dr. Wright also implemented a comprehensive program to study stroke, heart disease, and cancer, and created another program to instruct doctors in chemotherapy in the late 1960s.
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright | History of MedicineMany people might know Charles Drew for his contribution to medtech. In his short life of only 46 years, Charles revolutionized blood storage. His refrigerated “blood mobiles” stored blood at a temperature to prolong its shelf life. This further revolutionized blood storage and plasma banks for WWII.
Echoing Charles’ legacy of refrigeration techniques, John Standard patented an improvement to the refrigerator in 1891. The non-electrical solution used an ice-filled section that chilled contents. Before that in 1889, he also conceived an oil stove that conserved space. This made the stove top cooking method more versatile and available.
Innovations like these continued in other industries, too. The keen attention to accessibility, ease of use, and maintenance yielded major “quality of life” jumps.
Historically, black inventors found ways to improve existing devices to make life easier for everyone. Consider John Burr. Though he did not invent the lawnmower, he found a way to enhance it.
Having worked as a farm equipment repairman and steelworker, John knew his way around machines. He devised a rotary blade mower which he patented in 1898. His mower was more maneuverable, clogged less, and could get a closer clip on grass blades.
In fact, the design hasn’t deviated much compared to various manual rotary mowers still used today.
Way More Than Just The “Peanut Butter Guy”Joseph and John weren’t the only black inventors involved in agriculture. George Washington Carver, though famous for his idea of peanut butter, did far more than that.
Recruited by Booker T. Washington for the Tuskegee Institute, George did extensive work and study on agriculture. He wanted to find a way to ameliorate the damage done by exhaustive cotton farming. The first step was to rehabilitate the soil in southern farms. So George taught farmers about crop rotation and fertilization.
After conducting studies on which crops thrive in various areas, his answer came in the form of peanuts. As a result of his research and work, peanuts emerged in more than 300 products.
This move toward the shelled legume not only helped the soil, it bettered the economy, too.
Space Exploration, Physics, 3D Tech, and . . . Super Soakers?One of the most iconic toys of the 1990s came from NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson. He worked in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA, on the Cassini mission to Saturn, and the Jupiter Galileo mission. He also served in the Air Force.
His current work focuses on the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter. Lonnie aims to convert solar energy into electricity using this advanced heat engine with twice the efficacy of current methods. Lonnie continues a long history of African American advances in aerospace, physics, and even early 3D tech.
George Carruthers created the ultraviolet camera (also known as the spectograph). NASA used this for the Apollo 16 flight in 1972 to examine Earth’s atmosphere. Due to its inherent abilities, NASA captured UV images of more than 550 nebulae, galaxies, and stars.
Another George, George E. Alcorn, innovated imaging x-ray tech in the form of the spectrometer. The thermomigration of aluminum enabled the device to better show material compositions.
Perhaps one of the most influential black scientists, Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. collaborated on the Manhattan Project.
He worked with Eugene Wigner to develop the Wilkins effect and the Wigner-Wilkins spectrum. His work also involved the design and development of nuclear reactors for the purpose of generating electrical power.
Kathleen Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson | BMWKHidden Figures Extends Beyond the Apollo MissionsBlack women also made huge contributions to the various fields of science.
The actual women portrayed in the film Hidden Figures are Dorothy Vaughan, Kathleen Johnson, and Mary Jackson. Gifted scientific minds, these three women were integral in the developing the math behind NASA’s first successful space missions.
Their legacy continues with practical applications from modern black women like Dr. Patricia Bath. She is the first black woman to complete an ophthalmology residency.
Patricia is also the first black female doctor to get a medical patent. Her invention, the Laserphaco Probe, uses laser technology to more precisely and less painfully treat cataracts.
Valerie Thomas originally worked at NASA as a data analyst. She oversaw the Landsat program creation and conceived real-time computer data systems. As a result of her work there, she patented the Illusion Transmitter in 1980.
Though low tech, this early 3D prototype uses concave mirrors on both ends to transmit and produce optical illusion images.
The device was first used to observe Haley’s Comet and space events. But Valerie’s techniques also appear in many modern televisions and other devices, too.
Due to its usefulness and intelligent design, NASA still uses this kind of technology today.
Annie J. Easley has spent over three decades of her career working with NASA. She’s one of the first black computer programmers to work on alternative-energy technologies, energy-conservation systems, and the Centaur launch system.
That time, there were 2,500 employees under NASA but only Easley and three others were black. In her 34 years of service, Easley was laterally transferred thrice but never received any promotion.
Black Inventors Used Automation as Early as the 1800sAutomation isn’t reserved for the 20th and 21st centuries. Jan Ernst Matzeliger patented an automated shoemaker as early as 1883. Due to his design, the machine streamlined the process of connecting the leather to each part of the sole.
With rapid efficiency, the machine could make up to 700 pairs of shoes per day. This drove the cost of shoe production down drastically. It also increased shoe availability and decreased shoe cost.
Despite his unfortunate death at only 37, his invention revolutionized shoemaking. It was also a crucial first step towards our future of automation.
But Jan wasn’t the only black inventor who saw the ways automation could make life easier. Alexander Miles gave the world the incredible gift of automatic elevator doors. George T. Sampson gave us the mechanical dryer in 1892 and a sled propeller in 1885.
Inventor Richard Spikes gave us the automatic gear shift in 1932. He also conceived many other innovations like the multiple barrel machine gun, a beer keg tap, and automatic safety brakes.
But my favorite inventor on this list has to be Elijah McCoy.
A certified mechanical engineer, Elijah worked primarily on railroad projects. He developed a method of automating train lubrication using a lubricating cup. This cup dripped oil in the right location at the right time.
His invention was so popular that many people tried to copy it. It has been suggested that this is the origin of the phrase “The Real McCoy”.
Did you know that?
A Black Inventor is Responsible for Several Things You Use DailyNecessity is the mother of invention, but simplicity is key. Black inventors Lloyd Ray and Sarah Boone recognized this. They invented the dustpan and the ironing board respectively.
Mary and Mildred Davidson invented the toilet paper holder. Philip Downing invented the street mailbox. In fact, black inventors conceived many things we use on a daily basis.
Familiar with traffic lights and the cycle between red, yellow, and green? The credit for the innovative addition of the yield or “yellow” light goes to Garrett Morgan. He also developed a gas mask prototype called a “safety hood” in 1914.
Due to racial tension in the southern U.S., Garrett hired a white actor to play the “inventor” while Garrett, himself, acted as the sidekick.
He demonstrated the effectiveness of his invention, seeing robust sales numbers thanks to his strategy. As a result of its efficacy, it was developed into gas masks used in WWI to protect soldiers from gas warfare.
Alice H. Parker revolutionized the way we heat our living or working spaces. Before her innovation of the natural gas heating furnace, wood burning furnaces were the only way to do it. As a result of her preliminary designs, other inventors devised modern thermostat technology.
The Edison Connection: Latimer and Woods
Lewis Latimer | Queens Borough Public Library, Long Island DivisionMany black inventors worked hand-in-hand with more famous, often white inventors. Lewis Latimer, for example, collaborated with both Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell.
He developed the carbon filament in modern light bulbs and helped design Bell’s telephone. His patents also include railroad car water closets and the electric lamp.
Speaking of Edison, inventor Granville T. Woods earned the nickname “Black Edison” for his numerous contributions.
His first patent came in 1889 for an improvement to steam boiler furnaces. Due to his acumen in the industry, many of his subsequent inventions and patents revolved around electrical devices.
One of his most well-known inventions was the multiplex telegraph or the “induction telegraph” from 1887.
This allowed people to communicate over telegraph wires, thus expediting transmissions. Due to the increased speed of communications, his invention reduced accidents, too.
He also patented an improvement to established air-brake systems from 1902 to 1905. Ultimately, he invented 15 total appliances for electric railways and held almost 60 patents.
A Black Inventor’s Legacy led to Modern Menstrual ProductsMary Beatrice Davidson Kenner might be the least noted black inventor on this list. And yet, her contributions, like many here, revolutionized everyday living. Kenner invented things for the love of inventing, but also to serve herself and the people in her life. In fact, her family has a history of inventorship including her father, sister, and maternal grandfather.
Born in 1912, she made her first attempt at inventing a self-oiling door hinge to stop a squeaky door from waking her up at night when she was just six years old. She carried this curious spirit with her throughout her life into college. Though she had to give up her spot at Howard University due to financial issues, Kenner kept on inventing.
But it wasn’t until 1975 that Kenner had saved enough money to file her first patent for one of her most influential inventions.
For all my menstruating readers out there, imagine a world without modern tampons and pads. Well, Kenner was the one who revolutionized this market with her sanitary napkin belt.
This belt featured a moisture-proof and built-in napkin pocket and it was adjustable. Kenner intended the belt to mitigate menstrual stains and leaking to protect clothes.
When she passed in 2016, Kenner had filed five patents — more than any other black woman in history so far.
And it Doesn’t Stop ThereModern day black inventors, as they always have, come in the form of engineers, scientists, and young people.
Many black women in tech are shaping the future of computer science. Gitanjali Rao, a 12-year old Colorado student, invented a lead detector in response to the Flint, MI water crisis. 10-year-old Bishop Curry V invented a device to help prevent infant deaths in hot cars.
With great examples throughout black history to shine the way, black inventors will keep making advances.
Who are your favorite African American/black inventors?
Last year, we briefly wrote about the incredible women behind the Hidden Figures book and a recent major motion picture. Luckily, there are many more cases just like theirs in U.S. and world history.
What kind of contributions to science and tech have black inventors made over the years?
Many of these innovations and inventions are integral to our society and impressive accomplishments on their own. Yet, despite a strong racial bias that continues to this day, these bright minds overcame intense and longstanding disadvantages to benefit the system that oftentimes overlooked their capabilities, potential, and even humanity.
For that reason, we think they deserve extra special consideration. Join us in celebrating these peoples’ intense determination, intelligence, and skill against all odds.
Black History Month Focus: Black InventorsWhile we often write about tech giants like Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg, many people (with more disadvantages and fewer advantages) advance the tech landscape. As recent films like Hidden Figures illuminated, the integral work African Americans have performed throughout U.S. and world history is, sadly, often overlooked.
Beyond advancements in tech, black inventors adapted everyday items to make life easier. Some, like Madam C.J. Walker, even paved the road for modern entrepreneurial endeavors.
As a result of my research, I have categorized each inventor into the industry in which they worked. You’ll find 40 black inventors in different categories as below:
- Computers & Phones
- Video Games and Animation
- Sound and Home Security
- Agriculture, Refrigeration, and Gas
- NASA, Physics, and Space
- Automation
- Everyday Life
Shirley A. Jackson | NationalMedals.orgTouch-tone Telephones, Supercomputers, and Netcom – oh my!Black inventors made many marks in the fields of computers, telephones, and the Internet. Mark Dean, a noted IBM engineer, led the design team for the ISA bus. He also spearheaded the color computer monitor and was a collaborator on the first gigahertz chip. This eventually allowed computers to connect to devices like printers, monitors, etc.
Similarly to other black women in history, Shirley Jackson, pictured above, contributed multiple advances in her fields. Her work led to fiber optics, touch-tone telephones, caller id, call waiting, and even solar cells.
Otis Boykin invented the pacemaker and also worked with IBM computers. He invented more than 25 electronic devices including chemical air filters, burglar-proof cash registers, and electronic resistors that control missiles.
Dr. Philip Emeagwali | Coleman UniversityDr. Philip Emeagwali is sometimes credited with inventing the world’s first supercomputer. Capable of performing 3.1 billion calculations per second, Philip’s work is often associated with the advent of the Internet as we know it. However, there has been some discourse as to his actual contributions to computer and network development over the years.
Lauded as telecommunications entrepreneur and pioneer, Emmit McHenry founded Netcom Solutions. But black inventors also gave us technological building blocks and devices we still use today.
The Woman Behind Skype, MagicJack, and More!
Dr. Marian Croak | BlackDoctor.orgSkype, MagicJack, Vonage, and other Internet-based audio/video and text communication applications wouldn’t be around if not for the VOIP technology. Voice Over Internet Protocol was invented by Dr. Marian Croak, an African American Ph.D. holder in quantitative analysis from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Croak started her career at AT&T where she worked for over 30 years and served as Senior Vice President of Research and Development of the company. She predicted that IP and the Internet would be a hit which motivated her to develop a technology that would transform the Internet.
And, voila! Thanks to her, we now enjoy the perks of VOIP like Skype calls, video conference, and online messaging.
Dr. Croak holds over 125 patents in VOIP technology and manages more than 2,000 engineers and computer scientists responsible for AT&T’s enterprise and consumer wireline and mobility services. She’s also currently serving as Google’s Vice President of Engineering.
Video Games & AnimationOne of the very first cartridge-based video game systems came from Gerald A. Lawson. Jerry, as he was called, worked at Fairchild Semiconductor in the 1970s. He also belonged to the Homebrew Computer Club alongside Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. While there, Jerry helped invent the Fairchild Channel F, as pictured below.
Lisa Gelobter helped develop early web animation that led to the advent of Shockwave. She also worked with online video via Hulu, Joost, and Brightcove. Her work even took her to the White House, serving as Chief Digital Service Offer in the Department of Education.
Some of the most famous animations in history came from Marc Hannah. Having worked on iconic Hollywood films like Jurassic Park, Marc co-founded Silicon Graphics in 1982. He also created unique programs including Indigo, Indy graphics, and Personal IRIS.
Hannah’s company’s technology helped create Terminator 2. The intro for “Monday Night Football” used his programs, as well as various military, engineering, and research initiatives.
James E. West | CPNASSound & Home SecurityHave you ever used a microphone? Then you need to thank James E. West. James and Gerhard M. Sessler developed the “electroacoustic transducer electret microphone” in the 1960s.
Their concept was so good that 90% of microphones used today follow the original design. Other black inventors made forays into the audio/visual world, too.
Furthermore, what has become modern-day home security systems all started with a black woman.
Marie Van Brittan Brown wanted to feel safer at home. She developed a home security system using peepholes, cameras, and a radio-controlled wireless system.
The system relayed images to a monitor. It also enabled the person watching the monitor to communicate with the person being filmed via two-way microphones. A remote control also allowed Marie to lock or unlock the door at a distance.
This paved the way for modern closed-circuit television and home security as we know it.
Small Changes Revolutionized Agriculture, Medicine, and KitchensDr. Jane Cooke Wright was the first African American woman to be elected as the president of the New York Cancer Society, making her the highest-ranked African American woman at a nationally recognized medical institution.
Dr. Wright is widely known in the medical community for her contribution to the development of chemotherapy treatment. She introduced the technique of using human tissue cultures in testing chemotherapeutic drugs instead of mice.
Dr. Wright also implemented a comprehensive program to study stroke, heart disease, and cancer, and created another program to instruct doctors in chemotherapy in the late 1960s.
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright | History of MedicineMany people might know Charles Drew for his contribution to medtech. In his short life of only 46 years, Charles revolutionized blood storage. His refrigerated “blood mobiles” stored blood at a temperature to prolong its shelf life. This further revolutionized blood storage and plasma banks for WWII.
Echoing Charles’ legacy of refrigeration techniques, John Standard patented an improvement to the refrigerator in 1891. The non-electrical solution used an ice-filled section that chilled contents. Before that in 1889, he also conceived an oil stove that conserved space. This made the stove top cooking method more versatile and available.
Innovations like these continued in other industries, too. The keen attention to accessibility, ease of use, and maintenance yielded major “quality of life” jumps.
Historically, black inventors found ways to improve existing devices to make life easier for everyone. Consider John Burr. Though he did not invent the lawnmower, he found a way to enhance it.
Having worked as a farm equipment repairman and steelworker, John knew his way around machines. He devised a rotary blade mower which he patented in 1898. His mower was more maneuverable, clogged less, and could get a closer clip on grass blades.
In fact, the design hasn’t deviated much compared to various manual rotary mowers still used today.
Way More Than Just The “Peanut Butter Guy”Joseph and John weren’t the only black inventors involved in agriculture. George Washington Carver, though famous for his idea of peanut butter, did far more than that.
Recruited by Booker T. Washington for the Tuskegee Institute, George did extensive work and study on agriculture. He wanted to find a way to ameliorate the damage done by exhaustive cotton farming. The first step was to rehabilitate the soil in southern farms. So George taught farmers about crop rotation and fertilization.
After conducting studies on which crops thrive in various areas, his answer came in the form of peanuts. As a result of his research and work, peanuts emerged in more than 300 products.
This move toward the shelled legume not only helped the soil, it bettered the economy, too.
Space Exploration, Physics, 3D Tech, and . . . Super Soakers?One of the most iconic toys of the 1990s came from NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson. He worked in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA, on the Cassini mission to Saturn, and the Jupiter Galileo mission. He also served in the Air Force.
His current work focuses on the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter. Lonnie aims to convert solar energy into electricity using this advanced heat engine with twice the efficacy of current methods. Lonnie continues a long history of African American advances in aerospace, physics, and even early 3D tech.
George Carruthers created the ultraviolet camera (also known as the spectograph). NASA used this for the Apollo 16 flight in 1972 to examine Earth’s atmosphere. Due to its inherent abilities, NASA captured UV images of more than 550 nebulae, galaxies, and stars.
Another George, George E. Alcorn, innovated imaging x-ray tech in the form of the spectrometer. The thermomigration of aluminum enabled the device to better show material compositions.
Perhaps one of the most influential black scientists, Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. collaborated on the Manhattan Project.
He worked with Eugene Wigner to develop the Wilkins effect and the Wigner-Wilkins spectrum. His work also involved the design and development of nuclear reactors for the purpose of generating electrical power.
Kathleen Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson | BMWKHidden Figures Extends Beyond the Apollo MissionsBlack women also made huge contributions to the various fields of science.
The actual women portrayed in the film Hidden Figures are Dorothy Vaughan, Kathleen Johnson, and Mary Jackson. Gifted scientific minds, these three women were integral in the developing the math behind NASA’s first successful space missions.
Their legacy continues with practical applications from modern black women like Dr. Patricia Bath. She is the first black woman to complete an ophthalmology residency.
Patricia is also the first black female doctor to get a medical patent. Her invention, the Laserphaco Probe, uses laser technology to more precisely and less painfully treat cataracts.
Valerie Thomas originally worked at NASA as a data analyst. She oversaw the Landsat program creation and conceived real-time computer data systems. As a result of her work there, she patented the Illusion Transmitter in 1980.
Though low tech, this early 3D prototype uses concave mirrors on both ends to transmit and produce optical illusion images.
The device was first used to observe Haley’s Comet and space events. But Valerie’s techniques also appear in many modern televisions and other devices, too.
Due to its usefulness and intelligent design, NASA still uses this kind of technology today.
Annie J. Easley has spent over three decades of her career working with NASA. She’s one of the first black computer programmers to work on alternative-energy technologies, energy-conservation systems, and the Centaur launch system.
That time, there were 2,500 employees under NASA but only Easley and three others were black. In her 34 years of service, Easley was laterally transferred thrice but never received any promotion.
Black Inventors Used Automation as Early as the 1800sAutomation isn’t reserved for the 20th and 21st centuries. Jan Ernst Matzeliger patented an automated shoemaker as early as 1883. Due to his design, the machine streamlined the process of connecting the leather to each part of the sole.
With rapid efficiency, the machine could make up to 700 pairs of shoes per day. This drove the cost of shoe production down drastically. It also increased shoe availability and decreased shoe cost.
Despite his unfortunate death at only 37, his invention revolutionized shoemaking. It was also a crucial first step towards our future of automation.
But Jan wasn’t the only black inventor who saw the ways automation could make life easier. Alexander Miles gave the world the incredible gift of automatic elevator doors. George T. Sampson gave us the mechanical dryer in 1892 and a sled propeller in 1885.
Inventor Richard Spikes gave us the automatic gear shift in 1932. He also conceived many other innovations like the multiple barrel machine gun, a beer keg tap, and automatic safety brakes.
But my favorite inventor on this list has to be Elijah McCoy.
A certified mechanical engineer, Elijah worked primarily on railroad projects. He developed a method of automating train lubrication using a lubricating cup. This cup dripped oil in the right location at the right time.
His invention was so popular that many people tried to copy it. It has been suggested that this is the origin of the phrase “The Real McCoy”.
Did you know that?
A Black Inventor is Responsible for Several Things You Use DailyNecessity is the mother of invention, but simplicity is key. Black inventors Lloyd Ray and Sarah Boone recognized this. They invented the dustpan and the ironing board respectively.
Mary and Mildred Davidson invented the toilet paper holder. Philip Downing invented the street mailbox. In fact, black inventors conceived many things we use on a daily basis.
Familiar with traffic lights and the cycle between red, yellow, and green? The credit for the innovative addition of the yield or “yellow” light goes to Garrett Morgan. He also developed a gas mask prototype called a “safety hood” in 1914.
Due to racial tension in the southern U.S., Garrett hired a white actor to play the “inventor” while Garrett, himself, acted as the sidekick.
He demonstrated the effectiveness of his invention, seeing robust sales numbers thanks to his strategy. As a result of its efficacy, it was developed into gas masks used in WWI to protect soldiers from gas warfare.
Alice H. Parker revolutionized the way we heat our living or working spaces. Before her innovation of the natural gas heating furnace, wood burning furnaces were the only way to do it. As a result of her preliminary designs, other inventors devised modern thermostat technology.
The Edison Connection: Latimer and Woods
Lewis Latimer | Queens Borough Public Library, Long Island DivisionMany black inventors worked hand-in-hand with more famous, often white inventors. Lewis Latimer, for example, collaborated with both Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell.
He developed the carbon filament in modern light bulbs and helped design Bell’s telephone. His patents also include railroad car water closets and the electric lamp.
Speaking of Edison, inventor Granville T. Woods earned the nickname “Black Edison” for his numerous contributions.
His first patent came in 1889 for an improvement to steam boiler furnaces. Due to his acumen in the industry, many of his subsequent inventions and patents revolved around electrical devices.
One of his most well-known inventions was the multiplex telegraph or the “induction telegraph” from 1887.
This allowed people to communicate over telegraph wires, thus expediting transmissions. Due to the increased speed of communications, his invention reduced accidents, too.
He also patented an improvement to established air-brake systems from 1902 to 1905. Ultimately, he invented 15 total appliances for electric railways and held almost 60 patents.
A Black Inventor’s Legacy led to Modern Menstrual ProductsMary Beatrice Davidson Kenner might be the least noted black inventor on this list. And yet, her contributions, like many here, revolutionized everyday living. Kenner invented things for the love of inventing, but also to serve herself and the people in her life. In fact, her family has a history of inventorship including her father, sister, and maternal grandfather.
Born in 1912, she made her first attempt at inventing a self-oiling door hinge to stop a squeaky door from waking her up at night when she was just six years old. She carried this curious spirit with her throughout her life into college. Though she had to give up her spot at Howard University due to financial issues, Kenner kept on inventing.
But it wasn’t until 1975 that Kenner had saved enough money to file her first patent for one of her most influential inventions.
For all my menstruating readers out there, imagine a world without modern tampons and pads. Well, Kenner was the one who revolutionized this market with her sanitary napkin belt.
This belt featured a moisture-proof and built-in napkin pocket and it was adjustable. Kenner intended the belt to mitigate menstrual stains and leaking to protect clothes.
When she passed in 2016, Kenner had filed five patents — more than any other black woman in history so far.
And it Doesn’t Stop ThereModern day black inventors, as they always have, come in the form of engineers, scientists, and young people.
Many black women in tech are shaping the future of computer science. Gitanjali Rao, a 12-year old Colorado student, invented a lead detector in response to the Flint, MI water crisis. 10-year-old Bishop Curry V invented a device to help prevent infant deaths in hot cars.
With great examples throughout black history to shine the way, black inventors will keep making advances.
Who are your favorite African American/black inventors?African Americans and other black inventor have contributed much to various industries over the decades. Here we’ll celebrate just a few of their accomplishments.Did you know that Philip Downing invented the street mailbox? I’ll bet you didn’t know that Joseph H. Smith invented the sprinkler.
Last year, we briefly wrote about the incredible women behind the Hidden Figures book and a recent major motion picture. Luckily, there are many more cases just like theirs in U.S. and world history.
What kind of contributions to science and tech have black inventors made over the years?
Many of these innovations and inventions are integral to our society and impressive accomplishments on their own. Yet, despite a strong racial bias that continues to this day, these bright minds overcame intense and longstanding disadvantages to benefit the system that oftentimes overlooked their capabilities, potential, and even humanity.
For that reason, we think they deserve extra special consideration. Join us in celebrating these peoples’ intense determination, intelligence, and skill against all odds.
Black History Month Focus: Black InventorsWhile we often write about tech giants like Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg, many people (with more disadvantages and fewer advantages) advance the tech landscape. As recent films like Hidden Figures illuminated, the integral work African Americans have performed throughout U.S. and world history is, sadly, often overlooked.
Beyond advancements in tech, black inventors adapted everyday items to make life easier. Some, like Madam C.J. Walker, even paved the road for modern entrepreneurial endeavors.
As a result of my research, I have categorized each inventor into the industry in which they worked. You’ll find 40 black inventors in different categories as below:
- Computers & Phones
- Video Games and Animation
- Sound and Home Security
- Agriculture, Refrigeration, and Gas
- NASA, Physics, and Space
- Automation
- Everyday Life
- First up, we’ll take a look at black inventors in the world of computers and telephones.
Shirley A. Jackson | NationalMedals.orgTouch-tone Telephones, Supercomputers, and Netcom – oh my!Black inventors made many marks in the fields of computers, telephones, and the Internet. Mark Dean, a noted IBM engineer, led the design team for the ISA bus. He also spearheaded the color computer monitor and was a collaborator on the first gigahertz chip. This eventually allowed computers to connect to devices like printers, monitors, etc.
Similarly to other black women in history, Shirley Jackson, pictured above, contributed multiple advances in her fields. Her work led to fiber optics, touch-tone telephones, caller id, call waiting, and even solar cells.
Otis Boykin invented the pacemaker and also worked with IBM computers. He invented more than 25 electronic devices including chemical air filters, burglar-proof cash registers, and electronic resistors that control missiles.
Dr. Philip Emeagwali | Coleman UniversityDr. Philip Emeagwali is sometimes credited with inventing the world’s first supercomputer. Capable of performing 3.1 billion calculations per second, Philip’s work is often associated with the advent of the Internet as we know it. However, there has been some discourse as to his actual contributions to computer and network development over the years.
Lauded as telecommunications entrepreneur and pioneer, Emmit McHenry founded Netcom Solutions. But black inventors also gave us technological building blocks and devices we still use today.
The Woman Behind Skype, MagicJack, and More!
Dr. Marian Croak | BlackDoctor.orgSkype, MagicJack, Vonage, and other Internet-based audio/video and text communication applications wouldn’t be around if not for the VOIP technology. Voice Over Internet Protocol was invented by Dr. Marian Croak, an African American Ph.D. holder in quantitative analysis from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Croak started her career at AT&T where she worked for over 30 years and served as Senior Vice President of Research and Development of the company. She predicted that IP and the Internet would be a hit which motivated her to develop a technology that would transform the Internet.
And, voila! Thanks to her, we now enjoy the perks of VOIP like Skype calls, video conference, and online messaging.
Dr. Croak holds over 125 patents in VOIP technology and manages more than 2,000 engineers and computer scientists responsible for AT&T’s enterprise and consumer wireline and mobility services. She’s also currently serving as Google’s Vice President of Engineering.
Video Games & AnimationOne of the very first cartridge-based video game systems came from Gerald A. Lawson. Jerry, as he was called, worked at Fairchild Semiconductor in the 1970s. He also belonged to the Homebrew Computer Club alongside Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. While there, Jerry helped invent the Fairchild Channel F, as pictured below.
Lisa Gelobter helped develop early web animation that led to the advent of Shockwave. She also worked with online video via Hulu, Joost, and Brightcove. Her work even took her to the White House, serving as Chief Digital Service Offer in the Department of Education.
Some of the most famous animations in history came from Marc Hannah. Having worked on iconic Hollywood films like Jurassic Park, Marc co-founded Silicon Graphics in 1982. He also created unique programs including Indigo, Indy graphics, and Personal IRIS.
Hannah’s company’s technology helped create Terminator 2. The intro for “Monday Night Football” used his programs, as well as various military, engineering, and research initiatives.
James E. West | CPNASSound & Home SecurityHave you ever used a microphone? Then you need to thank James E. West. James and Gerhard M. Sessler developed the “electroacoustic transducer electret microphone” in the 1960s.
Their concept was so good that 90% of microphones used today follow the original design. Other black inventors made forays into the audio/visual world, too.
Furthermore, what has become modern-day home security systems all started with a black woman.
Marie Van Brittan Brown wanted to feel safer at home. She developed a home security system using peepholes, cameras, and a radio-controlled wireless system.
The system relayed images to a monitor. It also enabled the person watching the monitor to communicate with the person being filmed via two-way microphones. A remote control also allowed Marie to lock or unlock the door at a distance.
This paved the way for modern closed-circuit television and home security as we know it.
Small Changes Revolutionized Agriculture, Medicine, and KitchensDr. Jane Cooke Wright was the first African American woman to be elected as the president of the New York Cancer Society, making her the highest-ranked African American woman at a nationally recognized medical institution.
Dr. Wright is widely known in the medical community for her contribution to the development of chemotherapy treatment. She introduced the technique of using human tissue cultures in testing chemotherapeutic drugs instead of mice.
Dr. Wright also implemented a comprehensive program to study stroke, heart disease, and cancer, and created another program to instruct doctors in chemotherapy in the late 1960s.
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright | History of MedicineMany people might know Charles Drew for his contribution to medtech. In his short life of only 46 years, Charles revolutionized blood storage. His refrigerated “blood mobiles” stored blood at a temperature to prolong its shelf life. This further revolutionized blood storage and plasma banks for WWII.
Echoing Charles’ legacy of refrigeration techniques, John Standard patented an improvement to the refrigerator in 1891. The non-electrical solution used an ice-filled section that chilled contents. Before that in 1889, he also conceived an oil stove that conserved space. This made the stove top cooking method more versatile and available.
Innovations like these continued in other industries, too. The keen attention to accessibility, ease of use, and maintenance yielded major “quality of life” jumps.
Historically, black inventors found ways to improve existing devices to make life easier for everyone. Consider John Burr. Though he did not invent the lawnmower, he found a way to enhance it.
Having worked as a farm equipment repairman and steelworker, John knew his way around machines. He devised a rotary blade mower which he patented in 1898. His mower was more maneuverable, clogged less, and could get a closer clip on grass blades.
In fact, the design hasn’t deviated much compared to various manual rotary mowers still used today.
Way More Than Just The “Peanut Butter Guy”Joseph and John weren’t the only black inventors involved in agriculture. George Washington Carver, though famous for his idea of peanut butter, did far more than that.
Recruited by Booker T. Washington for the Tuskegee Institute, George did extensive work and study on agriculture. He wanted to find a way to ameliorate the damage done by exhaustive cotton farming. The first step was to rehabilitate the soil in southern farms. So George taught farmers about crop rotation and fertilization.
After conducting studies on which crops thrive in various areas, his answer came in the form of peanuts. As a result of his research and work, peanuts emerged in more than 300 products.
This move toward the shelled legume not only helped the soil, it bettered the economy, too.
Space Exploration, Physics, 3D Tech, and . . . Super Soakers?One of the most iconic toys of the 1990s came from NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson. He worked in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA, on the Cassini mission to Saturn, and the Jupiter Galileo mission. He also served in the Air Force.
His current work focuses on the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter. Lonnie aims to convert solar energy into electricity using this advanced heat engine with twice the efficacy of current methods. Lonnie continues a long history of African American advances in aerospace, physics, and even early 3D tech.
George Carruthers created the ultraviolet camera (also known as the spectograph). NASA used this for the Apollo 16 flight in 1972 to examine Earth’s atmosphere. Due to its inherent abilities, NASA captured UV images of more than 550 nebulae, galaxies, and stars.
Another George, George E. Alcorn, innovated imaging x-ray tech in the form of the spectrometer. The thermomigration of aluminum enabled the device to better show material compositions.
Perhaps one of the most influential black scientists, Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. collaborated on the Manhattan Project.
He worked with Eugene Wigner to develop the Wilkins effect and the Wigner-Wilkins spectrum. His work also involved the design and development of nuclear reactors for the purpose of generating electrical power.
Kathleen Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson | BMWKHidden Figures Extends Beyond the Apollo MissionsBlack women also made huge contributions to the various fields of science.
The actual women portrayed in the film Hidden Figures are Dorothy Vaughan, Kathleen Johnson, and Mary Jackson. Gifted scientific minds, these three women were integral in the developing the math behind NASA’s first successful space missions.
Their legacy continues with practical applications from modern black women like Dr. Patricia Bath. She is the first black woman to complete an ophthalmology residency.
Patricia is also the first black female doctor to get a medical patent. Her invention, the Laserphaco Probe, uses laser technology to more precisely and less painfully treat cataracts.
Valerie Thomas originally worked at NASA as a data analyst. She oversaw the Landsat program creation and conceived real-time computer data systems. As a result of her work there, she patented the Illusion Transmitter in 1980.
Though low tech, this early 3D prototype uses concave mirrors on both ends to transmit and produce optical illusion images.
The device was first used to observe Haley’s Comet and space events. But Valerie’s techniques also appear in many modern televisions and other devices, too.
Due to its usefulness and intelligent design, NASA still uses this kind of technology today.
Annie J. Easley has spent over three decades of her career working with NASA. She’s one of the first black computer programmers to work on alternative-energy technologies, energy-conservation systems, and the Centaur launch system.
That time, there were 2,500 employees under NASA but only Easley and three others were black. In her 34 years of service, Easley was laterally transferred thrice but never received any promotion.
Black Inventors Used Automation as Early as the 1800sAutomation isn’t reserved for the 20th and 21st centuries. Jan Ernst Matzeliger patented an automated shoemaker as early as 1883. Due to his design, the machine streamlined the process of connecting the leather to each part of the sole.
With rapid efficiency, the machine could make up to 700 pairs of shoes per day. This drove the cost of shoe production down drastically. It also increased shoe availability and decreased shoe cost.
Despite his unfortunate death at only 37, his invention revolutionized shoemaking. It was also a crucial first step towards our future of automation.
But Jan wasn’t the only black inventor who saw the ways automation could make life easier. Alexander Miles gave the world the incredible gift of automatic elevator doors. George T. Sampson gave us the mechanical dryer in 1892 and a sled propeller in 1885.
Inventor Richard Spikes gave us the automatic gear shift in 1932. He also conceived many other innovations like the multiple barrel machine gun, a beer keg tap, and automatic safety brakes.
But my favorite inventor on this list has to be Elijah McCoy.
A certified mechanical engineer, Elijah worked primarily on railroad projects. He developed a method of automating train lubrication using a lubricating cup. This cup dripped oil in the right location at the right time.
His invention was so popular that many people tried to copy it. It has been suggested that this is the origin of the phrase “The Real McCoy”.
Did you know that?
A Black Inventor is Responsible for Several Things You Use DailyNecessity is the mother of invention, but simplicity is key. Black inventors Lloyd Ray and Sarah Boone recognized this. They invented the dustpan and the ironing board respectively.
Mary and Mildred Davidson invented the toilet paper holder. Philip Downing invented the street mailbox. In fact, black inventors conceived many things we use on a daily basis.
Familiar with traffic lights and the cycle between red, yellow, and green? The credit for the innovative addition of the yield or “yellow” light goes to Garrett Morgan. He also developed a gas mask prototype called a “safety hood” in 1914.
Due to racial tension in the southern U.S., Garrett hired a white actor to play the “inventor” while Garrett, himself, acted as the sidekick.
He demonstrated the effectiveness of his invention, seeing robust sales numbers thanks to his strategy. As a result of its efficacy, it was developed into gas masks used in WWI to protect soldiers from gas warfare.
Alice H. Parker revolutionized the way we heat our living or working spaces. Before her innovation of the natural gas heating furnace, wood burning furnaces were the only way to do it. As a result of her preliminary designs, other inventors devised modern thermostat technology.
The Edison Connection: Latimer and Woods
Lewis Latimer | Queens Borough Public Library, Long Island DivisionMany black inventors worked hand-in-hand with more famous, often white inventors. Lewis Latimer, for example, collaborated with both Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell.
He developed the carbon filament in modern light bulbs and helped design Bell’s telephone. His patents also include railroad car water closets and the electric lamp.
Speaking of Edison, inventor Granville T. Woods earned the nickname “Black Edison” for his numerous contributions.
His first patent came in 1889 for an improvement to steam boiler furnaces. Due to his acumen in the industry, many of his subsequent inventions and patents revolved around electrical devices.
One of his most well-known inventions was the multiplex telegraph or the “induction telegraph” from 1887.
This allowed people to communicate over telegraph wires, thus expediting transmissions. Due to the increased speed of communications, his invention reduced accidents, too.
He also patented an improvement to established air-brake systems from 1902 to 1905. Ultimately, he invented 15 total appliances for electric railways and held almost 60 patents.
A Black Inventor’s Legacy led to Modern Menstrual ProductsMary Beatrice Davidson Kenner might be the least noted black inventor on this list. And yet, her contributions, like many here, revolutionized everyday living. Kenner invented things for the love of inventing, but also to serve herself and the people in her life. In fact, her family has a history of inventorship including her father, sister, and maternal grandfather.
Born in 1912, she made her first attempt at inventing a self-oiling door hinge to stop a squeaky door from waking her up at night when she was just six years old. She carried this curious spirit with her throughout her life into college. Though she had to give up her spot at Howard University due to financial issues, Kenner kept on inventing.
But it wasn’t until 1975 that Kenner had saved enough money to file her first patent for one of her most influential inventions.
For all my menstruating readers out there, imagine a world without modern tampons and pads. Well, Kenner was the one who revolutionized this market with her sanitary napkin belt.
This belt featured a moisture-proof and built-in napkin pocket and it was adjustable. Kenner intended the belt to mitigate menstrual stains and leaking to protect clothes.
When she passed in 2016, Kenner had filed five patents — more than any other black woman in history so far.
And it Doesn’t Stop ThereModern day black inventors, as they always have, come in the form of engineers, scientists, and young people.
Many black women in tech are shaping the future of computer science. Gitanjali Rao, a 12-year old Colorado student, invented a lead detector in response to the Flint, MI water crisis. 10-year-old Bishop Curry V invented a device to help prevent infant deaths in hot cars.
With great examples throughout black history to shine the way, black inventors will keep making advances.
Who are your favorite African American/black inventors?