There is no denying that black people have had a tremendous impact on the world. From inventing essential everyday items and innovations that have revolutionized the entire world, black inventors and innovators have helped shape the world in meaningful and lasting ways.
As we at CovLC continue to celebrate Black History Month, we share a few outstanding black people who help change the world. Here are five of the coolest things that have been invented by black people throughout history.
George Washington Carver was a black inventor and educator who had a lasting impact on American history. He is most famous for his invention of over three hundred products from the peanut, ranging from food products and dyes to plastics, fertilizers, and more.
Carver was born into slavery in 1864 and went on to become one of the foremost botanists and inventors of his time. His work on the peanut helped transform the peanut crop into a highly lucrative commodity, which brought economic success to communities in the south.
Garrett Morgan was an African-American inventor and businessman who is widely credited with inventing the gas mask. Morgan was born in 1877 and is most famous for his invention of the safety hood which is widely regarded as the precursor to the modern gas mask.
The gas mask was originally designed for firefighters, but it soon became adopted by soldiers for use in trenches during World War I. Morgan's gas mask invention saved thousands of lives, and he was even awarded a US patent for it in 1914.
Madam C.J. Walker was a black entrepreneur and philanthropist who invented the hot comb. Walker was born in 1867 and had an impoverished childhood working as a laundress and a cook. Despite the poverty of her childhood, Walker went on to become a successful inventor and businesswoman.
Her invention of the hot comb revolutionized the way black women styled their hair. It was the first hair product specifically designed to be used on African American women’s hair, and it made styling easier and more accessible. She also helped to make hair care more affordable and founded a line of cosmetics products that would go on to earn her millions of dollars.
Lewis Latimer was a black inventor and engineer who is best known for his invention of an improved version of the light bulb. He was born into slavery in 1848 and showed an early aptitude for engineering. After the Civil War, he went on to work with the brilliant engineer and inventor Thomas Edison, where he developed the light bulb that would soon revolutionize the world.
Latimer’s improved light bulb made lighting more accessible and affordable, which was instrumental in transforming life as we know it. His invention led to the popularity of electric lights in urban areas, and he made it possible for everyday households to have light bulbs in their homes.
Mark Dean is a black engineer and inventor who is credited with helping to develop the personal computer. Born in 1957, Dean has worked with IBM since the 1980s and is well known for his breakthroughs in computer architecture.
Dean developed the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) which was used to create the first personal computer by IBM. His work in computer architecture helped launch the era of personal computing and changed the way computers and technology are used around the world. He is considered by many to be one of the most important inventors in the history of computing.
These are just a few of the many incredible and influential black inventors from history and the accomplishments they left behind. From the development of the light bulb and the hot comb to the invention of the personal computer, black inventors have made countless contributions to the world.
Through hard work, innovation, and dedication they have changed the world in meaningful and lasting ways and will continue to do so for generations to come. Having a good education allows you the opportunity to follow in their footsteps, we at the Covalent Learning Center, stand ready to help!
