Inventor/Scientist Invention/Accomplishment Date Name

AFRICAN-AMERICAN

INVENTORS & SCIENTISTS

Inventor/Scientist Invention/Accomplishment Date Name

Abrams, W.B. / Hame attachment / Apr 14, 1891
Alcorn, G.E / New type of x-ray spectrometer
Alexander, Archibald / Iowa-born Alexander attended Iowa State University and earned a civil engineering degree in 1912. While working for an engineering firm, he designed the Tidal Basin Bridge in Washington, D.C. Later he formed his own company, designing Whitehurst Freeway in Washington, D.C. and an airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama, among other projects.
Alexander, N / Improved folding chair / July 7, 1911
Allen, C.W. / Self leveling table / Nov 1, 1898
Allen, J.B. / Clothes line support / Dec 10,1895
Ammons, Virgie / Fireplace dampeners / Aug 6 1974
Ashbourne, A.P. / Process for preparing coconut for domestic use
Biscuit Cutter
Refining coconut oil
Process of treating coconut / June 1, 1875
Nov 30, 1875
July 27, 1880
Aug 21, 1877
Bailes, William / Ladder scaffold support / Aug 5, 1879
Bailey, L.C. / Combined truss and bandage
Folding bed (Jul 18, 1899) / Sept 25, 1883
Oct 11, 1898
Bailiff, C.O. / Shampoo headrest / Oct 11, 1898
Ballow, W.J. / Combined hatrack and table / Mar 29, 1898
Banneker, Benjamin / Born into a family of free blacks in Maryland, Banneker learned the rudiments of reading, writing, and arithmetic from his grandmother and a Quaker schoolmaster. Later he taught himself advanced mathematics and astronomy. He is best known for publishing an almanac based on his astronomical calculations
Barnes, G.A.E. / Design for sign / Aug 19, 1898
Bashen, Janet Emerson / Software Invention / Jan 10, 2006
Bath, Patricia / Laserphaco Probe for the treatment of cataracts / 1988
Beard, Andrew Jackson / Rotary engine
Car-coupler / July 5, 1892
Nov 23, 1897
Becket, G.E. / Letter box / Oct 4, 1892
Bell, L. / Locomotive smoke stack
Dough Kneader / May 23, 1871
Dec 10, 1872
Benjamin, L.W. / Broom moisteners and bridles / May 16, 1893
Benjamin, Miriam E. / Gong and signal chairs for hotels / July 17, 1888
Bing, A. M. W. / Street sprinkling apparatus / July 22, 1879
Blackburn, A.B. / Railway signal
Spring seat for chairs
Cash carrier (Oct 23, 1888) / Jan 10,1888
Apr 3, 1888
Oct 23, 1834
Blair, Henry / Corn (seed) planter
Cotton planter / Oct 14, 1834
Aug 31, 1836
Blount, Bessie / Device to help disabled persons eat / 1951
Blue, L. / Hand corn shelling device / May 20, 1884
Booker, L.F. / Design rubber scraping knife / Mar 28, 1899
Boone, Sarah / Ironing board / Apr 26, 1892
Bouchet, Edward Alexander / Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Bouchet was the 1st Black to graduate (1874) from Yale College. In 1876, upon receiving his Ph.D. in physics from Yale, he became the 1st to earn doctorate. He spent his career teaching college chemistry and physics
Bowman, H.A. / Making flags / Feb 23, 1892
Bradley, Benjamin / Steam engine for a war ship. Unable to patent his work, he sold it and purchased his freedom.
Brooks, Charles / Street sweeper truck / Mar 17, 1896
Brooks, Phil / Disposable syringe / Apr 9, 1974
Brook C.B / Punch / Oct 31, 1893
Brown, Henry / Receptacle for storing and preserving papers / Nov 2, 1886
Brown, L.F. / Bridle bit / Oct 25, 1892
Brown, O.E. / Horseshoe / Aug 23, 1892
Brown & Latimer / Water closets for railway cars / Feb 10, 1874
Brown, Marie / Video home surveillance security system / Dec 2, 1969
Burr, John Albert / Lawnmower (rotary blade) / May 9, 1899
Burr, W.F. / Switching device for railways / Oct 31, 1899
Burwell, W. / Boot or shoe / Nov 28, 1899
Butler, R.A. / Train alarm / June 15, 1897
Butts, J.W. / Luggage carrier / Oct 10, 1899
Byrd, T.J. / Improvement in holders for reins for horses Apparatus for detaching horses from carriages Improvement in neck vokes for wagons Improvement in car couplings / Feb 6, 1872
Feb 6, 1872
Mar 19, 1872
Dec 1, 1874
Campbell, W.S. / Self setting animal trap / Aug 30, 1881
Cargill, B.F. / Invalid cot / July 25, 1899
Carrington, T.A. / Range / July 25, 1876
Carruthers, George / Image converter for Detecting Electromagnetic Radiation specially in Short Wave Lengths / Nov 11, 1969
Carter, W.C. / Umbrella stand / Aug 4, 1885
Carver, George Washington / Born into slavery in Missouri, Carver later earned degrees from Iowa, Agricultural College. The director of agricultural research at the Tuskegee Institute from 1896 until his death, Carver developed hundred of applications for farm products important to the economy of the South, including the peanut, sweet potato, soybean, and pecan.
Certain, J.M. / Parcel Carrier for bicycles / Dec 26, 1899
Chappelle, Emmett / Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Chappelle earned a B.S. from the University of California and an M.S. from the University of Washington. He joined NASA in 1977 as a remote sensing scientist. Among Chappelle’s discoveries is a method (developed with Grace Picciolo) of instantly detecting bacteria in water, which led to the improved diagnosis of urinary tract infections.
Cherry, M.A. / Velocipede
Street car fender / May 8, 1888
Jan 1, 1895
Christian, John / Grease composition for use at high temp and high speeds
Grease composition of fluorocarbon polyethers thickened with polyfluorophenylene polymers
Fluorine containing benzimidazoles / June 30, 1970
Oct 27, 1970
May 12 1981
Church, T.R. / Carpet beating machine / July 29, 1884
Clare, O.B. / Trestle / Oct 9, 1888
Coates, R. / Overboot for horses / Apr 19, 1892
Cole, Rebecca / Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cole was the 2nd black woman to graduate from medical school (1867). She joined Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the 1st white woman physical, in New York and taught hygiene and childcare to families in poor neighborhoods.
Cook, G. / Automatic fishing device / May 30, 1899
Coolidge, J.S. / Harness Attachment / Nov 13, 1888
Cooper, A.R. / Shoemaker’s Jack / Aug 22, 1899
Cooper, J. / Shutter and fastening
Elevator Device / May 1, 1883
Apr 2, 1895
Cosgrove, W.F. / Automatic stop plug for gas oil pipes / Mar 17, 1885
Cornwell, P.W. / Draft regulator / Oct 2, 1888
Cralle, A.L. / Ice cream mold / Feb 2, 1897
Creamer, H. / Steam feed water trap
Steam trap feeder / Mar 17, 1895
Dec 11, 1888
Crosthwait, David Jr. / Heating System / Mar 6, 1928
Dare, O.B. / Trestle / Oct 9, 1888
Darkins, J.T. / Ventilation aid (variation) / Feb 19, 1895
Davis, I.D. / Tonic / Nov 2, 1886
Davis, W.D. / Riding saddles / Oct 6, 1896
Davis, W.R., Jr. / Library table / Sept 24, 1878
Dean, Mark / Led a team that developed the ISA bus – a device that enabled computer components to communicate with each other rapidly, which made personal computers fast and efficient for the first time. Also led the design team in creating the first one gigahertz computer processor chip
Deitz, W.A. / Shoe / Apr 30, 1867
Dorsey, O. / Door holding device / Dec 10, 1878
Dorticus, Clatonia Joaquin / Device to apply color liquids to soles/heels of shoes Machines for embossing photo
Photographic print wash
Hose leak stop / Mar 19, 1895
Apr 16, 1895
Apr 23, 1875
July 18, 1899
Downing, P.B. / Electric switch for railroad
Letter Box
Street Letter Box / June 17, 1890
Oct 27, 1891
Oct 27, 1891
Drew, Dr. Charles Richard / Born in Washington, D.C., Drew earned advanced degrees in medicine and surgery from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, in 1933 and from Columbia University in 1940. He is particularly noted for his research in blood plasma and for setting up the first blood bank
Dunnington, J.H. / Horse detachers / Mar 16, 1897
Edmonds, T.H. / Separating screens / July 20, 1897
Elkins. Thomas / Dining, ironing table and quilting frame combined
Chamber commode
Refrigerating apparatus / Feb 22, 1870
Jan 9, 1872
Nov 4, 1879
Emeagwali, Phillip / Computer / 1989
Evans, J.H. / Convertible settees / Oct 5, 1897
Faulker, H. / Ventilated shoe / Apr 29, 1890
Ferrell, F.J. / Steam trap
Apparatus for melting snow
Valve / Feb 11, 1890
May 27, 1890
May 27, 1890
Fisher, D. / Joiners’ Clamp / Apr 20, 1875
Fisher, D.C. / Furniture castor / Mar 14, 1876
Fleming, R.F. Jr. / Guitar / Mar 3, 1886
Goode, Sarah E. / Folding cabinet bed / July 14, 1885
Grant, George F. / Golf tee / Dec 12, 1899
Grant, W.S. / Curtain rod support / Aug 4, 1896
Gray, R.H. / Bailing press
Cistern cleaners / Aug 28, 1894
Apr 9, 1895
Gregory, J. / Motor / Apr 26, 1887
Grenon, H. / Razor stropping device / Feb 18, 1896
Griffin, F.W. / Pool table attachment / June 13, 1899
Haines, J.H. / Portable basin / Sept 28, 1897
Hammonds, J.F. / Apparatus for holding yarn skeins / Dec 15, 1896
Harding, F.H. / Extension banquet table / Nov 22, 1898
Hawkins, J. / Gridiron / Mar 26, 1845
Hawkins, R. / Harness attachment / Oct 4, 1887
Headen, M. / Foot power hammer / Oct 5, 1886
Heames, S.R. / Car Fender (detachable) / July 4, 1899
Heamess, R. / Bottles (sealing attachment for) / Feb 15, 1898
Hearness, R. / Detachable car fender / Aug 26, 1890
Hilyer, A.F. / Water evaporator attachment for hot air register
Registers / Aug 26, 1890
Oct 14, 1859
Holmes, E.H. / Gauge / Nov 12, 1895
Hunter, J.H. / Portable weighing scales / Nov 3, 1896
Hyde, R.N. / Composition for cleaning and preserving carpets / Nov 6, 1888
Jackson, H.A. / Kitchen Table / Oct 6, 1896
Jackson, B.F. / Heating apparatus
Matrix drying apparatus
Gas burner / Mar 1, 1898
May 10, 1898
Apr 4, 1899
Jackson, W.H. / Railway switch
Automotive locking switch / Mar 9, 1897
Aug 23, 1898
Jennings, Thomas L. / Dry Cleaning Process / Mar 3, 1821
Johnson, D. / Rotary dining table
Lawnmower attachment
Grass receivers for lawnmower / Jan 15, 1888
Sept 10, 1889
June 10, 1890
Johnson, I.R. / Bicycle frame / Oct 10, 1899
Johnson, Jack / Wrench / Apr 18, 1922
Johnson, Lonnie / Super Soaker / 1991
Johnson, P. / Swinging chairs
Eye protector glasses / Nov 15, 1881
Nov 2, 1880
Johnson, Willis / Egg beater
Velocipede / Feb 5, 1884
June 20, 1899
Johnson, W.A. / Paint vehicle / Dec 4, 1888
Jones, F.M. / Ticket dispensing machine
Air conditioning unit
Two-cycle gasoline engine
Starter generator
Thermostat and Temperature Control System / June 27, 1939
July 12, 1949
Nov 28, 1950
July 12, 1949
Feb 23, 1960
Jones & Long / Caps for bottles / Sept 13, 1898
Joyce, J.A. / Ore bucket / Apr 26, 1898
Julian, Percy Lavon / Alabama-born Julian held a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University, a master’s degree from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Vienna. His most famous achievement is his synthesis of cortisone, which is used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Just, Ernest Everett / Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Just attended Dartmouth College and the University of Chicago, where he earned a Ph.D. in zoology in 1916. Just’s work on cell biology took him to marine laboratories in the U.S. and Europe and led him to publish more than 50 papers.
Latimer, Lewis Howard / Manufacture of carbons
Apparatus for cooling, disinfecting
Locking racks for hats, coats, and umbrellas Electric lamp / June 17, 1882
Jan 12, 1886
Mar 24, 1896
Sept 13, 1881
Latimer & Tregoning / Globe support for electric lamps / Mar 21, 1882
Lattimore, L. / Lamp, Electric / Sept 13, 1881
Lavalette, W. / Printing press (variation) / Sept 17, 1878
Lee, H. / Animal trap / Feb 12, 1867
Lee, J. / Kneading machine
Bread crumbing machine / Aug 7, 1894
June 4, 1895
Leslie, F.W. / Envelope seal / Sept 21, 1897
Lewis, A.L. / Window cleaner / Sept 27, 1892
Lewis, E.R. / Spring gun / May 3, 1887
Linden, H. / Piano truck / Sept 8, 1891
Little, E. / Bridle bit / Mar 7, 1882
Loudin, F.J. / Sach fastener
Key fastener / Dec 12, 1892
Jan 9, 1894
Love, John Lee / Plasterers’ hawk
Pencil sharpener / July 9, 1895
Nov 23, 1897
Marshall, T.J. / Fire extinguisher (variation)
Grain binder / May 26, 1872
Marshall, W. / Grain Binder / May 11, 1886
Martin, W.A. / Lock / July 23, 1889
Matzeliger, Jan Ernst / Mechanism for distributing tacks
Nailing machine
Tack separating mechanism
Lasting machine (mass production of shoes) / Nov 26, 1899
Feb 25, 1896
Mar 25, 1890
Sept 22, 1891
McCoy, Elijah / Lubricator for steam engines
Steam lubricator
Ironing table
Steam cylinder lubricator
Lawn sprinkler design
Steam dome
Lubricator attachment
Lubricator for safety valves
Drip cup
Lubricator
Oil Cup / July 2, 1872
Jan 20, 1874
May 12, 1874
Feb 1, 1876
Sept 26, 1899
June 16, 1855
Apr 19, 1887
May 24, 1887
Sept 29, 1891
Dec 24, 1889
Nov 15, 1898
McCree, D. / Portable fire escape / Nov 11, 1890
Mendenhall, A. / Holder for driving reins / Nov 28, 1899
Miles, Alexander / Elevator / Oct 11, 1887
Mitchell, C.L. / Phoneterism / Jan 1, 1884
Mitchell, J.M. / Cheek row corn planter / Jan 16, 1900
Moody, W.U. / Game board design / May 11, 1897
Morehead, K. / Reel carrier / Oct 6, 1896
Morgan, Garrett / Gas mask
Traffic signal / 1914
1923
Murray, G.W. / Combined furrow opener and stalk knocker Cultivator and marker
Planter
Cotton chopper
Fertilizer distributor
Planter
Planter and Fertilizer distributor reaper / Apr 10, 1894
Apr 10, 1894
June 5, 1894
June 5, 1894
June 5, 1894
June 5, 1894
June 5, 1894
Nash, H.H. / Life-preserving stool / Oct 5, 1875
Newman, Lyda D. / Brush / Nov 15, 1898
Newson, S. / Oil heater and cooker / May 22, 1894
Nichols & Latimer / Electric Lamp (variation) / Sept 13, 1881
Nickerson, W.J. / Mandolin and Guitar Attachment / June 27, 1899
O’Conner & Turner / Alarm for Boiler