Celebrating Black Inventors and Their Patents

February is Black History Month, a time to honor and celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans in various fields of science, art, culture, and society. Among these are many inventors who have patented their innovations and improved the lives of millions of people. Here are a few examples of black inventors and their patents that you may not know about (and one you probably do).

• Lewis Latimer (1848-1928) was an engineer and patent draftsman who worked with Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. In 1881, he developed an improved method of producing carbon filaments for light bulbs making them more durable and efficient. (U.S. Pat. No. 252386)
• Granville T. Woods (1856-1910) was a self-taught electrical and mechanical engineer who earned over 50 patents for his inventions related to telegraphy, railway, and electrical systems. In 1887, he developed the multiplex telegraph which allowed simultaneous communication between trains and stations which reduced accidents and collisions. (U.S. Pat. No. 373383) In 1891 he developed an induction telegraph, which enabled wireless communication between moving vehicles, such as ships and trains. (U.S. Pat. No. 463020)
• Sarah E. Goode (1855-1905) was a furniture store owner and one of the first African American women to obtain a US patent. In 1885, she developed a folding cabinet bed, which was a combination of a desk and a bed that could be folded and stored when not in use, saving space and providing convenience for urban dwellers. (U.S. Pat. No. 322,177)
• George Washington Carver (1864-1943) was an agricultural scientist and inventor who developed hundreds of products using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops. His work in crop rotation and soil improvement revolutionized agriculture in the Southern United States. He also created numerous products such as dyes, plastics, gasoline, and even a type of rubber from sweet potatoes. Although he did obtain three patents (Pat. Nos. 1,522,176, 1,541,478, and 1,632,365) none of his patents related to food products or agriculture.
• Garrett Morgan (1877-1963) was an entrepreneur and inventor who patented several devices that enhanced safety and efficiency in various fields. He patented a breathing hood in 1914 (U.S. Patent No. 1,113,675), which he used to rescue workers trapped in a tunnel explosion in Cleveland in 1916. He also patented a three-way traffic light in 1923 (U.S. Pat. No. 1,475,024), which had a third position in addition to stop and go, allowing for safer transitions and reducing accidents.
• Marie Van Brittan Brown (1922-1999) was a nurse and inventor who, along with her husband Albert Brown, patented a home audio security system in 1966 (U.S. Patent No. 3,482,037). Their system was a precursor to modern video doorbells and surveillance systems.

There are of course, many more inventions that were developed by Black inventors which have improved our lives. Take time this Black History month to research the intersection of intellectual property and Black history.