African American Inventions

Throughout history, individuals from every race have had a hand in generating some of the inventions that have shaped the world. This is also true of many African American inventions that have come into place throughout the centuries. Some of these are very well-known but others are less well known. That doesn't necessarily mean that the inventions have had less of an impact on us as individuals but many inventors and their inventions have slipped silently into history. It is also possible that many African American inventions were not credited to those where credit is due.

As far as African American inventions are concerned, one of the most well-known inventors of all time is George Washington Carver. This is a man who was born a slave in 1860 and eventually became a free man who attended college at around the age of 30. He was interested in agriculture and devised a method of crop rotation which rotated legumes, such as peanuts with cotton. This allowed for much better growing because it helped to keep the soil from being depleted of some of its vital nutrients. He is also responsible for over 100 different ways of using the peanut but interestingly enough, peanut butter is not listed as one of those.

Several African American inventions came about as a result of the man by the name of Garrett Morgan. This man is best known for his invention of a hood that became what would eventually be known as the modern-day gas mask. Aside from that, he also invented a device that straightened hair and also came up with a prototype and patented one of the first types of traffic signals. He used his hood, or gas mask in order to rescue some individuals who were trapped in a tunnel that was full of noxious fumes.

Of the African American inventions that were thought up by a female, the most notable has got to be those by Madame C.J. Walker. She developed a line of beauty products and makeup that were specifically for black women. Most notable about this person from history is the fact that she is credited as being the first female to reach the status of millionaire by her own achievements. Interestingly enough, she did this as the first female, regardless of the fact of being black or white.

Elijah McCoy is responsible for one of the more interesting African American inventions that came into place. Although he was originally an African Canadian inventor, he eventually moved to Detroit which allowed him to be placed into this category. His invention was a lubricator for the steam engines that powered many of the trains and boats of the day.