Black Inventors

In the early centuries, black people made significant contributions toward science and technology. The belief has persisted for centuries among whites, that Africans lacked scientific and technological sophistications. Listed here are some of those accomplishments, which unfortunately weren't always recognized or acknowledged.

Ironsmithing :(16th Century)

Ironsmithing technology originated in West Africa. When the slave trade started, Africans brought the technology with them to the South. African Americans were highly valued in the South as Blacksmiths. They created effective tools along with a niche for decorative architecture and were regarded as "skilled Iron Craftsmen". African Americans who worked in white shops were given the freedom to inscribe African motifs in gates and fences that revealed African influences.

Thomas Jennings (1791-1859) "Receives first Patent by African American"

Thomas Jennings was the first African American to receive a Patent. As the owner of a New York dry cleaning store, Jennings patented a process for cleaning clothing. He later used the money he earned with his invention to buy his family out of slavery. Active as an abolitionist, Jennings published petitions that advocated the end of slavery in New York.

Norbert Rillieux (1800-1894 ) "Revolutionizes the Sugar Industry"

Norbert was born as a free African American. He revolutionized the sugar industry when he invented the multiple-effect evaporator for refining sugar. His father, an engineer and owner of a plantation, quickly realized his son's brilliant mechanical ability and sent him to Paris to study engineering. In Paris he taught and wrote scholarly papers on the steam engine and steam processes that were well received by European scientists. Norbert later returned to the United States to get funding for his new invention which was operated on a Louisiana plantation in 1845. Norberts invention was a huge success. He was able to produce finer white sugar and provide a huge reduction in cost and labor. His system was later adopted by factories from Cuba and Mexico and it's steam principles found a much broader application in manufacturing industries for condensed milk, soap gelatin and glue products.

Henry Boyd "Buys his freedom"

Henry Boyd invented a bed where the wooden rails screwed into both the headboard and footboard, giving the bed a firm structure compared to other beds in the early 19th century. Henry produced this technique along with his carpentry skills to purchase his freedom in 1826. He later opened his own company using his bed frame design as his foundation. Boyd tried to have his invention patented by a white man, but was unsuccessful. African Americans weren't allowed to patent their products. Boyd cleverly stamped his name on every bed frame he made to ensure authenticity to his clients. Boyd was very successful and employed a staff of 40-50 employees.

Elijah McCoy "The REAL McCoy"

Elijah McCoy (1843-1929) invented a mechanism to continuously oil train and ship engines.  It was quickly adopted by railroad and shipping lines. Many ineffective imitations were created and as a result had many businessmen asking "Is this the REAL MCCOY". McCoy born in Canada and educated in Scotland was unable to find a job as an engineer in the United States. Taking a job as a Fireman, he noticed that the fireman's duty of oiling the train's engine while stationary added tremendously to the length of train trips. McCoy's first invention, "a lubricating cup" patented in 1872 eliminated the necessity of shutting down the machine periodically. McCoy later acquired 57 other patents for devices designed to streamline the automatic lubrication process of machinery. He is also credited with inventing the ironing board, lawn sprinkler and a graphite lubricator.

Granville T Woods "The Black Edison"

Granville T Woods - also known as the Black Edison because he competed successfully with the celebrated Thomas Edison to market a telegraph system. Woods lost a struggle with Alexander Graham Bell to market an advanced telephone transmitter for which Woods had received a patent. Without the required funds to market his device, Woods was forced to sell it to the Bell Telephone Company. He later acquired the funding to form his own company called "Woods Electrical Company". Some of his inventions include "air brakes" and an egg hatching machine. Woods felt his career was hampered by the effects of racism and later went on to write a story in the Cosmopolitan magazine suggesting that he had descended from "full blooded savage Australian aborigines" and not African Americans. Woods thought his inventions would not be recognized if it was known that he was an African American.

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