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Feb 20, 2019 · Learn about the contributions of African American inventors to various fields, from traffic lights to microphones. See how they improved ironing boards, security systems, refrigerated trucks and more.
This list of African-American inventors and scientists documents many of the African Americans who have invented a multitude of items or made discoveries in the course of their lives. These have ranged from practical everyday devices to applications and scientific discoveries in diverse fields, including physics, biology, math, and medicine.
NameYearsOccupation (s)Inventions / Accomplishments1958–Electrical engineerFirst African American to serve as a ...1940–Physicist, inventorInvented a method of fabricating an ...1888–1958Civil engineerResponsible for the construction of many ...Ammons, VirgieDecember 29, 1908 – July 12, 2000InventorFiled the fireplace throat damper patent ...- Mary Bellis
- Madame C.J. Walker (December 23, 1867–May 25, 1919) Born Sarah Breedlove, Madame C.J. Walker became the first Black woman millionaire by inventing a line of cosmetics and hair products aimed at Black consumers in the first decades of the 20th century.
- George Washington Carver (1861–January 5, 1943) George Washington Carver became one of the leading agronomists of his time, pioneering numerous uses for peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes.
- Lonnie Johnson (Born October 6, 1949) Inventor Lonnie Johnson holds more than 80 U.S. patents, but it's his invention of the Super Soaker toy that is perhaps his most endearing claim to fame.
- George Edward Alcorn Jr. (Born March 22, 1940) is a physicist whose work in the aerospace industry helped revolutionize astrophysics and semiconductor manufacturing.
- Adrienne Donica
- 2 min
- Deputy Editor
- Thomas L. Jennings. 1791–1859. The first African American U.S. patent recipient, Thomas L. Jennings was working as a tailor and businessman in New York City when he invented a process for dry-cleaning delicate clothing known as “dry-scouring.”
- Sarah Boone. 1832-1904. In 1892, Sarah Boone patented a design improvement to Elijah McCoy’s ironing board. The North Carolina native wrote in her application that the purpose of her invention was “to produce a cheap, simple, convenient, and highly effective device, particularly adapted to be used in ironing the sleeves and bodies of ladies’ garments.”
- Alexander Miles. 1838-1918. Anyone who’s ridden modern elevators has Alexander Miles to thank for the stair alternative’s automatic doors. Prior to his design’s 1867 patent, riders had to manually open and close two sets of doors when entering and exiting elevator cars.
- Elijah McCoy. 1844-1929. Of the 57 patents Elijah McCoy—reportedly the namesake for the popular, complimentary phrase “the real McCoy”—received over his lifetime, the portable ironing board might be one of the most timeless.
Jan 19, 2023 · 15 African-American Inventors to Remember This Black History Month and Beyond From caller ID to the Super Soaker to peanut butter. By McKenzie Jean-Philippe and Jane Burnett Updated: Jan 19, 2023
Nov 23, 2020 · Using a new database of inventors, this report demonstrates that Black contributions to the Industrial Revolution were influenced by the disproportionate number of Black Americans who lived in the ...
Feb 1, 2024 · 1. Thomas L. Jennings. A laundry operation circa 1925. / Chaloner Woods/Getty Images. Thomas L. Jennings (1791–1859) was the first African American person to receive a patent in the...
