BLACK HISTORY MONTH - POST #4

Things we use personally, collectively, or for business had to be invented.  Many inventions from many years ago are things we use regularly.  Many of those inventions, more than you may know, came from Black inventors.

Many times, more often than not, those Black inventors are overlooked.

Today, I have a list of over fifty things created by Black inventors dating back to the eighteenth century.  Some of these things you probably have used, or do use regularly.  You have these Black inventors to thank.  Some of these inventors will be listed for multiple inventions; some, listed once, invented other items as well.

These will be listed by year, invention, and inventor form.

18th Century

1791 -- The almanac -- Benjamin Banneker
            (His Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanack and
            Ephemeris, for the Year of our Lord, 1792 was his first publication)

19th Century
1819 -- Record player arm -- Joseph H. Dickenson

1839 -- Auto cut-off switch -- Granville T. Woods

         -- Spark plug -- Edmond Berger

1864 -- Rolling pin -- John W. Reed

1867 -- Elevator -- Alexander Miles

1872 -- Fire extinguisher -- Thomas Marshall

1875 -- Biscuit cutter -- Alexander P. Ashbourne

1876 -- Straightening comb (Hot comb) -- Madam C.J. Walker

1878 -- Door knob and Door stop -- Osbourn Dorsey

         -- Fire escape ladder -- Joseph W. Winters

         -- Furniture caster -- David A. Fisher

1880 -- Safety glasses -- Powell Johnson

1883 -- Hand stamp  Walter B. Purvis

1884 -- Egg beater -- Willie Johnson

         -- Lantern -- Michael C. Harvey

         -- Phone transmitter -- Granville T. Woods
            (which combined the telephone and telegraph)

1886 -- Euphonica guitar -- Robert F. Fleming, Jr.
            (which was louder and more resonant than traditional guitars)

         -- Tricycle -- Matthew A. Cherry

1887 -- Ironing board -- Sarah Boone

         -- Lunch box -- James Robinson

1889 -- Baby buggy -- William H. Richardson

1890 -- Fountain pen -- Walter B. Purvis

         -- Street sweeper -- Charles B. Brooks

1891 -- Butter churn -- Albert C. Richardson

         -- Mail box -- Paul L. Downing

1892 -- Curtain rod -- Samuel R. Scrotton
         -- Clothes dryer -- George T. Sampson  (precursor to modern clothes dryer)

1893 -- Lemon squeezer -- John Thomas White

         -- Door lock -- Washington A. Martin  (precursor to a deadbolt lock)

         -- Mop -- Thomas W. Stewart

1894 -- Key chain -- Frederick J. Loudin

         -- Casket lowering device -- Albert C. Richardson

1895 -- Automatic oil-drip cup -- Elijah McCoy 
            (which lubricated the steam engine while moving)

1896 -- Curtain rod support -- William S. Grant

1897 -- Chamber commode -- Thomas Elkins
            (a combination of a bureau, mirror, book rack, washstand, table, easy chair,
            and a toilet)

         -- Ice cream scoop -- Alfred L. Cralle

         -- Lawn sprinkler -- John H. Smith

         -- Pencil sharpener -- John L. Love

1898 -- Hair brush -- Lydia O. Newman

         -- Shampoo headrest (for a hair salon sink) -- Charles Orren Bailiff

1899 -- Auto fishing device (fishing reel) -- George Cook

         -- Folding bed -- Leonard C. Bailey

         -- Golf tee -- George T. Grant 

         -- Insect destroyer gun -- Albert C. Richardson 
            (which destroyed insects from trees and plants while not affecting shoots
            and foliage)

20th Century
1914 -- Gas mask -- Garrett Morgan

1923 -- Traffic light -- Garrett Morgan

1945 -- Blood plasma bag -- Charles Drew

1949 -- Air conditioning unit -- Frederick M. Jones

1960 -- Thermostat control -- Frederick M. Jones

Terry