5 Random Things About 5 Forgotten Black Inventors

Some things are just common knowledge. For example, everyone knows that George Washington Carver invented the peanut and that Thomas Edison invented electricity[!]. These people don’t need any extra push because history has been kind to them. Instead, this post is dedicated to the unsung heroes who create stuff that we take for granted everyday. In honor of Black History Month, here are 5 black inventors who have been overshadowed for one reason or another.

Lewis Latimer: When Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb in 1879, he used carbon filaments to light the bulb. Unfortunately, the filaments only lasted about 40 hours before the light bulb would die and be useless. Thus, a process of manufacturing enough filaments would be necessary in order to manufacture light bulbs. Enter Lewis Latimer, who as a member of the Edison Pioneers invented a process to improve the manufacture of carbon filaments in 1882. Prior to his work with Edison, though, Latimer patented an improved toilet system for railroad cars in 1874. Factoid: The Edison Pioneers was a very prestigious group of inventors who included Nikola Tesla and Henry Ford.

Elijah McCoy: McCoy was such a prolific inventor that in 1909, Booker T. Washington recognized him as producing more inventions than any other black inventor. Over his lifetime, McCoy filed for 57 U.S. patents, mostly related to lubricating steam engines, but also one for a folding ironing board, and another for a lawn sprinkler. Factoid: A popular myth is that the phrase “The Real McCoy” was created to refer to his inventions, but this is not true. The phrase dates to the 1850s and McCoy’s first patent was in the 1870s.

Garrett A. Morgan: Morgan invented the safety hood and smoke protector, the predecessor to the modern gas mask, after hearing about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 1911. In 1916, Morgan was able to demonstrate the device when he used it during a rescue in a tunnel under Lake Erie. Morgan also invented a T-shaped, crank operated traffic signal. Factoid: Garrett Morgan was the first black person in Cleveland, Ohio to own an automobile.

Norbert Rillieux: Rillieux invented the multiple-effect evaporator (pictured) in the 1820s. I won’t get into how the evaporator works (I’m no chemical engineer), but it was instrumental in modernizing the sugar refining industry. Prior to Rillieux’s invention, sugar processing was an expensive, slow task. With the evaporator, refiners could process up to 18,000 pounds of sugar in one day. Factoid: Rillieux’s father was White and his mother was Creole. As such he is included on this list based on America’s “one-drop rule.”

Granville T. Woods: Woods patented many processes to improve safety and communication on the railroads. One of his more interesting inventions, though, was the telegraphony, which could allow telegraph companies to send voice and telegrams over the same line. We take it for granted today, but before the telegraphony, people had to do their talking and texting separately. Factoid: Granville Woods is sometimes referred to as the “Black Thomas Edison” because of his contributions during the age of invention.

For even more info on this subject check out the book Black Inventors, Crafting Over 200 Years of Success:

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