African-American Inventors and Inventions

The African-American community under the slavery rule was denied the right to education. Post Civil War, even the free slaves were renounced education, training and were abhorred from entering the main stream society. However, many did refute and educated themselves.

These educated ones, dedicated their lives in making a significant contribution to the society. And with their selfless efforts and inventions, changed the world's perspective towards them. These simplified the lives of many, not just in America but throughout the world. Enlisted below, are the names and the work of the few who made a difference through their talent, energy and creativity.

List of Inventors and Inventions

Inventions	Inventors	Inventions	Inventors
Biscuit Cutter	A.P. Ashbourne	Super Soaker	Lonnie Johnson
Folding Bed	L.C. Bailey	Bicycle Frame	Issac R. Johnson
Coin Changer	James A. Bauer	Space Shuttle Retrieval Arm	Wm. Harwell
Rotary Engine	Andrew J. Beard	Airship	J.F.Pickering
Radiation Detector	Geo. Carruthers	Folding Chair	Purdgy/Sadgwar
Peanut Butter	George W. Carver	Hand Stamp	W.B. Purvis
Paints & Satins	George W. Carver	Fountain Pen	W.B. Purvis
Printing Press	W.A. Lavallette	Car Couple	Andrew J. Beard
Envelope Seal	F.W. Leslie	Letter Box	G.E. Becket
Laser Fuels	Lester Lee	Stainless Steel Pads	Alfred Benjamin
Pressure Cooker	Maurice W. Lee	Refrigerator	J. Standard
Toilet	T. Elkins	Mop	T.W. Stewart
Furniture Caster	David A. Fisher	Stairclimbing Wheelchair	Rufus J. Weaver
Guitar	Robert Flemming ,Jr	Torpedo Discharger	H. Bradberry
Window Cleaner	A.L. Lewis	Fire Extinguisher	Tom J. Marshal
Corn Planter	Henry Blair	Lock	W.A. Martin
Kitchen Table	H.A. Jackson	Galvanic Battery	Granville T. Woods
Video Commander	Joseph N. Jackson	Electric Raillway System	Granville T. Woods
Remote Controllers	Joseph N. Jackson	Roller Coaster	Granville T. Woods
Sani-Phone	Jerry Johnson	Cotton Planter	Henry Blair
Shoe Lasting Machine	Jan Matzeliger	Ironing Board	Sarah Boone
Lubricators	Elijah McCoy	Horse Bridle Bit	L.F.Brown
Rocket Catapult	Hugh MacDonald	Horse shoe	Oscar E. Brown
Elevator	Alexander Miles	Pacemaker	Otis Boykin
Gas Mask	Garrett Morgan	Guide Missile	Otis Boykin
Traffic Signal	Garrett Morgan	Lawn Mower	John A. Burr
Hair Brush	Lyda Newman	Typewriter	Burridge & Marshman
Heating Furnace	Alice H. Paker	Train Alarm	R.A. Butler
Airship	J.F.Pickering	Radiation Detector	Geo. Carruthers
Folding Chair	Purdgy/Sadgwar	Peanut Butter	George W. Carver
Hand Stamp	W.B. Purvis	Paints & Satins	George W. Carver
Fountain Pen	W.B. Purvis	Lotion & Soaps	George W. Carver
Dust Pan	L.P.Ray	Automatic Fishing Reel	George Cook
Disposable Syringe	Phil Brooks	Pencil Sharpener	John L. Love
Home Security System	Marie Brown	Insect Destroyer Gun	A.C. Richardson
Ice cream Mold	A.L. Cralle	Baby Buggy	W.H. Richardson
Blood Plasma	Dr. Charles Drew	Sugar Refinement	N. Rillieux
Horse Riding Saddle	Wm. D. Davis	Clothes Dryer	G.T. Sampson
Shoe	W.A. Detiz	Celluar Phone	Henry Sampson
Player Piano	Joseph Dickinson	Pressing Comb	Walter Sammons
Arm for Recording Player	Joseph Dickinson	Curtain Rod	S.R. Scottron
Doorstop	O. Dorsey	Lawn Sprinkler	J.W. Smith
Doorknob	O. Dorsey	Automatic Gearshift	R.B. Spikes
Photo Print Wash	Clatonia J. Dorticus	Urinalysis Machine	Dewey Sanderson
Photo Embossing Machine	Clatonia J. Dorticus	Hydraulic Shock Absorber	Ralph Sanderson
Postal Letter Box	P.B. Dowing	Helicopter	Paul E. Williams
Golf Tee	George F. Grant	Fire Escape Ladder	J.B. Winters
Motor	J. Gregory	Telephone Transmitter	Granville T. Woods
Lantern	Michael Harney	Electric Cutoff Switch	Granville T. Woods
Thermo Hair Curlers	Soloman Harper	Relay Instrument	Granville T. Woods
Gas Burner	B.F. Jackson	Telephone System	Granville T. Woods
Air-purification Device	Rufus Stokes	Foot Power Hammer	M. Headen
Umbrella Stand	W.C. Carter	Luggage Carrier	J .W. Butts

There were many constraints on this community back then which refrained them for claiming patents for their work. Yet, braving all odds, the first African-American; a simple tailor in New York City to hold a patent was Thomas Jennings for a dry cleaning process called 'dry scouring'; and became a symbol of hope for many more inventors and inventions.