Black people have contributed to many inventions and to the technology and systems we have today. Many African-American inventors played an important role in areas such as transportation, technology and communication. In this article the top ten black inventions that changed the world.
Black inventors and their inventions
1. Traffic Light
Traffic Light was invented by Garret Morgan in 1922. Garret Morgan is also known for inventing the gas mask. He invented the Ted gas mask in 1912. Morgant Morgan witnessed a traffic accident. He wanted to update the way traffic lights alerted the drivers the light was going red. The initial light system consisted of only two colors and, Morgan filed a patent for the warning light (yellow color) in 1922. The invention of Garret Morgan is still used and has helped to save lives.
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2. Automatic Gear Shift
Richard Spikes invented the Automatic Gear Shift in 1932. He was born in Texas. He was a barber, musician, businessman, and inventor. Richard Spikes received a patent for inventing an automatic Gear shift in 1932. The invention of automatic gear shift was adapted to the vehicles by the car manufacturers. It allowed the drivers to shift gear automatically without the manual use of the clutch. He was then dedicated to improving the automatic braking system. Other patents owned by Richard Spikes include the beer tap, the billiard cue rack, the swinging barber chair, and vehicle turn signals.
3. Clothes Dryer
The clothes Dryer was developed by George T Sampson. He used suspension rods over the special stove to dry clothes. He got a patent for the design of a cloth dryer in 1892. The design by George T Sampson was used till the 1930s. In the design of George T. Sampson allowed heated air to circulate through the clothes to dry them. He invented a clothes dryer that could be used indoors. His invention paved the way for modern cloth dryers. In urban areas where cloth drying in the outside area is limited cloth dryers help in drying the clothes. Cloth drying became easy and convenient after this invention.
4. Automatic elevator doors
Automatic elevator doors were invented by Alexander Miles in 1887. The invention of automatic elevator doors was revolutionary. This invention helped in increasing the safety and security of the elevators. Before the invention of automatic elevator doors, the doors had to be opened and closed manually which was a safety concern. The doors automatically close and open on the desired floor in the automatic elevator doors. This system led to the modern elevator system we use today. This invention shows the significant role of black inventors in the functionality of systems we use now.
5. Touch-tone telephone
The touch-tone telephone used push buttons to place calls. The touch-tone telephones replaced telephones with rotatory dials. The experiments of Dr Shirley Ann Jackson resulted in the invention of the Touch-tone telephone. She was a researcher at the Bell Laboratories. Her contributions to the development of the touch-tone telephone are irreplaceable. This invention laid the foundation for the modern telecommunication systems. The touch-tone telephone uses dual tone multifrequency signaling. Each push button generates a different frequency for the telephone exchange to place a call. This method was faster than the pulse dialing system of the rotatory phones.
6. Gas heating Furnace
Alice H Parker received a patent for the design of a gas Heating Furnace in the year 1919. She used a central heating system which was safer compared to the traditional method. She used natural gas as the fuel in the furnace. Natural gas is more efficient and cleaner than coal or wood. The Gas heating furnace used a centralized heating system. The system distributed heat through different paths to all the rooms. This ensured warmness in the whole building or house. The gas furnace was more convenient and safer than the traditional method. It also increased efficiency as less manual labor is required.
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7. Modern Toilet
Thomas Elkins was an African American inventor who contributed to the development of sanitation. He made a significant contribution to improvements in the modern toilets and plumbing technology. In the year 1887 Thomas Elkins got a patent for the improved design of a toilet. The toilet included a septic tank and a good waste disposal system. This improvised design of the toilet contributed to the modern toilet which is efficient. He improved the functionality of the sanitation system and the efficiency of waste management. The design of Thomas Elkin played a tremendous role in the development of modern toilets.
8. Home security systems
Some of the black inventors have contributed to the development of home security systems. Mary Van Brittan Brown and her husband Albert Brown invented the first home security system in 1966. Their neighborhood had a high crime rate. Their invention was a solution to the high crime rate in the area where they lived. The invention had peepholes, a camera and a microphone to communicate with visitors. The system also had a remote control to control the door and a button to call police. This invention contributed to modern home security systems.
9. Pacemaker
Otis Boykin invented the pacemaker in the year 1964. He also has 26 patents for the invention of devices. His mother died due to heart failure and was inspired by the unfortunate incident in his life.
10. Thermostat
Federick Jones invented the thermostat or temperature control in 1935. The first automatic refrigeration system was his invention for railroad cars. He also invented a movie box office that delivered tickets to the customers.
Also read: Top 10 Scientists with the Highest IQs: From Historical Geniuses to Modern-Day Prodigies
Conclusion
The contributions of the black inventors have made an impact in this modern world. The inventions have improved our quality of life. It is important to value those inventions and the inventors. In this article we have mentioned such inventors and inventions.
