Anointedtoday.blogspot.com: Fascinating Black History Inventors You Must Know

Do you realize there are many black inventors some have never received recognition for their contributions even though they have taken patents out for their inventions? Others have not received enough recognition. I have listed just a few of them.

Did You Know?

***Intentional***

1. Home Security System- Invented by Marie Van Brittan Brown in 1966

How many of you have Home Security Systems? Did you ever think about when this type of security started and who may have started it? History.com talks about how Marie invented a system that used a camera that could slide into and look through four peepholes in her front door, this included added features such as a microphone to speak to anyone at the door, a button to unlock the door, and a button to contact the police. They further added that she and her husband took out a patent for the system in the same year, and they were awarded the patent three years later in 1969.

2. Three-Light Traffic Signal, Invented by Garrett Morgan in 1923

What about the three-light traffic signal that you see when driving through town or on the highway? History.com gives a little history about Morgan, the child of two formerly enslaved people, was born in Kentucky in 1877. At age 14 he moved to Ohio, he worked as a handyman in Cincinnati, moved to Cleveland and worked as a sewing-machine repairman. In 1907 he owned his own sewing-machine repair shop and eventually was a large success. His invention was not the first invention of a traffic light. The original traffic lights were just stop and go not allowing enough time for drivers to react and respond. His design entailed the today’s yellow light designed to be a interim warning to drivers before crossing the traffic intersection. He was granted a United State Patent on November 20, 1923, Patent No. 1,475,074. He sold the rights to his invention to General Electric for $40,000.

3. Feminine Hygiene Products- Invented by Mary Kenner

You might ask who invented the feminine hygiene products that you use? Mary Kenner was born in 1912 to a family of inventors. She was a florist by day and in her spare time she invented the sanitary belt with a moisture-proof napkin pocket meant for menstruation. A company hearing about her invention sought her out to manufacture it for her, but then dropped the product once they found out that Mary was Black. Thomasnet.com talks about this stating that she never made any money on it and her sanitary belt became public domain. They further added that she did receive five patents for personal use and household creations and shared a patent for the first toilet tissue holder with her sister Mildred.

4. Who Invented the Laserphaco Probe for Cataract Treatment?

In 1986 Patricia Bath created a less painful and more precise treatment of cataracts and received a patent for the Laserphaco Probe in 1988. She became the first African American female doctor to receive a patent for a medical purpose. According to Biography.com besides securing patents in Japan, Canada, and Europe her Laserphaco Probe was able to help restore the sight of individuals who had been blind for more than 30 years. They further added that later in April 2003, her similar patent for combining ultrasound and laser technology to remove cataracts was also approved.

5. Who Invented the Blood Bank?

Do you or have you given blood to the Blood Bank? Did you ever think about who invented the blood bank? Charles Richard Drew, a renowned surgeon, organized America’s first large-scale blood bank. Acs.org., talks about this stating that the Red Cross excluded African Americans from donating blood, making Drew himself ineligible to participate in the very program he established. They further added that the policy was later modified to accept donations from blacks, however, the institution upheld racial segregation of blood at that time, which throughout the war Drew openly criticized as “unscientific and insulting to African Americans.” He also campaigned against the exclusion of black physicians from local medical societies, medical specialty organizations, and the American Medical Association.

6. Black History Events In Metro Detroit, Michigan, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, Mi 48201

Have you ever been to the Charles H. Wright Museum History? I have been there. It is huge and the Museum is full of knowledge? This is a must see. The time that I went I took my 8- month old grandchild. We traveled on the bus with my church. Amazingly he was well behaved in the stroller I pushed him in. He seemingly was fascinated by all that we saw. But then again, he was a very good baby. Believe me we saw a lot in this Museum. I did a lot of walking too. I highly recommend this museum. The museum will be open each Thursday during Black History Month, The Wright will host virtual presentations and discussions on their core exhibit, “And Still We Rise.” The presentations are at 12 pm and 4 pm. The schedule is below:

February 2: Midnight Faith: The Story of Second Baptist Church

February 9: The Radical Appeal of David Walker

February 16: First in Class: The Story of Dr. Joseph Ferguson

February 23: We Built This: The Story of United States Colored Troops

7. Henry Ford Museum, 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, Mi 48124

Have you been to the Henry Ford Museum? I have never been there, but if it is anything like the Charles H. Wright Museum, you definitely will be in for a treat.

They will be celebrating weekly also and their schedule is as follows:

February 4: North Star Choral performing at 11:30 a.m,1 pm and 2:30 pm.

February 12: Institute of Dance at Marygrove at 11 am and 2 pm

February 18: McLenon and Mann at 12 pm, 1:30pm and 3 pm

February 25: The Will Cyprian Trio at 11;20 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm

There are also more events and exhibits that will be featured as well.

Source:

8 Black Inventors Who Made Daily Life Easier

Garrett Morgan patents three-position traffic signal

19 Inspiring Black Inventors and Their Inventions You Should Know About

Patricia Bath

Top Ten Black Inventors (You Didn’t Know About)