BLACK INVENTORS
There has been American inventors since the birth of our country, but one group of prolific innovators has been largely ignored by history: black inventors born or forced into American slavery. Though U.S. patent law was created with color-blind language to foster innovation, the patent system consistently excluded these inventors from recognition. Despite patents being largely out of reach to enslaved Black Americans throughout early U.S. history, both slaves and free African-Americans did invent and innovate. …
During the 17th and 18th centuries, America was experiencing rapid economic growth. Black inventors were major contributors during this era – even though most did not obtain any of the benefits associated with their inventions since they could not receive patent protection.
Slave owners often took credit for their slaves’ inventions. In one well-documented case, a black inventor named Ned invented an effective, innovative cotton scraper. His slave master, Oscar Stewart, attempted to patent the invention. Because Stewart was not the actual inventor, and because the actual inventor was born into slavery, the application was rejected.
Stewart ultimately began selling the cotton scraper without the benefit of patent protection and made a significant amount of money doing so. In his advertisements, he openly touted that the product was “the invention of a Negro slave – thus giving the lie to the abolition cry that slavery dwarfs the mind of the Negro. When did a free Negro ever invent anything?”
Other notable 18th and 19th Century Black American Inventors:
George Peake
George Peake (1722–1827) also fought in the Revolutionary War. He was the first African American to be part of the settlement that eventually became Cleveland, Ohio. At this time, Ohio was a largely unsettled frontier in the western part of the United States.
Peake invented a hand mill for grinding corn. His hand mill was made of two round stones approximately 48 centimeters (19 inches) wide. Peake’s invention was easier to use than the traditional mortar and pestle, and ground the corn more smoothly. Although Peake didn’t patent his invention, he received credit for it in the November 8, 1858, issue of the newspaper Cleveland Leader.
Benjamin Banneker
Benjamin Banneker (1731–1806) was a self-taught mathematician and surveyor. When he was 21, Banneker was shown a pocket watch. He was so fascinated by the watch that its owner lent it to Banneker. He spent time studying pocket watches before deciding to build his own timepiece. A year later, Banneker invented a clock out of wood that struck a gong on the hour and kept time to the second. Banneker’s wooden clock kept time for more than 40 years.
In 1792, Banneker completed the first Banneker’s Almanac. Almanacs were important books in the 18th century because they told exactly when the sun came up in the morning and set at night. Almanacs also listed tide tables, dates of lunar and solar eclipses, holidays, and phases of the moon. Banneker’s Almanac was commonly used by farmers and other residents of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Banneker gave a first edition of his almanac to Thomas Jefferson. He called on Jefferson to give Black men and women equal rights, and to fight against prejudice that was “so prevalent in the world against those of my complexion . . . a race of beings, who have long labored under the abuse and censure of the world.” Jefferson, in 1791, replied to Banneker, writing, “nature has given to our Black brethren talents equal to those of other colors of man.” Slavery was abolished 59 years after Banneker’s death.
James Forten
James Forten (1766–1842) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lived there most of his life. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Revolutionary War. Captured and imprisoned by the British, Forten was offered his freedom if he agreed to live in England. Forten replied, “I am here a prisoner for the liberties of my country. I never, never shall prove a traitor to her interests!”
After the war, Forten was apprenticed to a sailmaker. He quickly learned the trade and developed a patent for a device to handle ship sails, which made him a wealthy man. Forten used his money to advocate for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery.
Globe Supporter for Electric Lamp
Lewis Howard Latimer was a member of Thomas Edison’s research team and later became the head draftsman for General Electric. This patent, issued in 1882, improved the stability of electric lamps.
Lewis Howard Latimer (September 4, 1848 – December 11, 1928) was an African-American inventor and patent draftsman. His inventions included an evaporative air conditioner, an improved process for manufacturing carbon filaments for light bulbs, and an improved toilet system for railroad cars. In 1884, he joined the Edison Electric Light Company where he worked as a draftsman and wrote the first book on electric lighting. The Lewis H. Latimer House, his landmarked former residence, is located near the Latimer Projects at 34-41 137th Street in Flushing, Queens, New York City.
More Black Inventors:
https://edgy.app/black-history-month-special/embed#?secret=AwiXw9EK2o
https://www.thoughtco.com/black-inventors-through-the-years-4145354
The Historical Memory Recovery Channel 