This list of Black and African-American inventors have certainly earned their place in history. Let's take a look at the legacy of these inventors.
The following join the ranks of many great African-American inventors who have contributed greatly to society throughout the years.
Many black inventors have struggled with hardship, poverty and, in some circumstances, slavery, to prove their genius to the world. The following are but a few of the many inventive and talented members of the black community in the United States.
Many of the entries on this list are derived from the dutiful work of one Mr. Henry Baker who worked for the U.S. Patent Office between the late 1800's and early 1900's. At this time, the African-Americans had few rights so Henry wanted to make sure that some, at least, received some form of unofficial recognition for their contributions to society.
This list is not exhaustive but is comprehensive and is in alphabetical order.
You can find the list version at the end of the content.
1. Abrams, W. B.
What his invention was: Hame Attachment
Patent Number: 450550
Patent Date: 4/14/1891
2. Alcorn, George Edward Jr.
What their invention or inventions was/were: X-Ray Spectrometer For Distant Galaxies And 19 Others
Additional information: George is best known as the inventor of the Imagining X-Ray Spectrometer. This would ultimately earn him the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Inventor of the Year in 1984.
George was born in March of 1940 who would later earn his B.A. in Physics in 1962, a Masters in 1963 and Ph.D. in 1967. He would spend a large portion of his career at NASA. Alcorn has around 20 other inventions to his name too.
3. Allen, C. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Self-Levelling Table
Patent Number: 613436
Patent Date: 11/1/1898
4. Allen, J. B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Clothes Line Support
Patent Number: 551105
Patent Date: 12/10/1895
5. Ashbourne, Alexander P.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Process Preparing Coconut For Domestic Use,Biscuit Cutter, Process Of Treating Coconut, Refining Coconut Oil
Patent Numbers: 163962, 170460, 194287, 230518
Patent Dates: 6/1/1875, 11/30/1875, 8/21/1877, 7/27/1880
6. Bailes, Wm.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Ladder Scaffold-Support
Patent Number: 218154
Patent Date: 8/5/1879
7. Bailey, L. C.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Combined Truss And Bandage, Folding Bed, Shampoo Headrest
Patent Number: 285545, 629286
Patent Date: 9/25/1883, 7/18/1899
Additional information: Leonard was born in 1825 into poverty and physically disabled. He would go on to receive various patents for his inventions.
Bailey also invented the rapid mail-stamping machine, a device to shunt trains to different tracks, and a hernia truss that was adopted by the United States Military. Leonard died in 1905.
8. Bailiff, C. O.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Shampoo Headrest
Patent Number: 612008
Patent Date: 10/11/1898
9. Ballow, W. J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Combined Hat Rack And Table
Patent Numbers: 601422
Patent Dates: 4/29/1898
10. Banneker, Benjamin
What their invention or inventions was/were: Astronomical Almanac
11. Barnes, G. A. E.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Design For Sigh
Patent Number: 29193
Patent Date: 8/19/1898
12. Bath, Patricia
![The A-Z List of Black Inventors](https://static.interestingengineering.com/images/MAY/sizes/Patriciabath_resize_md.jpg)
What their invention or inventions was/were: The Cataract Laserphaco Probe
Additional information: Patricia was born in Harlem and would go on to become a pioneer ophthalmologist, inventor, and academic who is known for inventing a tool and procedure for the removal of cataracts using a laser beam called the Laserphaco Probe.
She was born in 1942 in New York as the daughter of the first African-American motorman to work in NYC subway. Patricia would show an early interest and ability for science at a young age. This passion would drive her onwards and upwards.
She would eventually become the first African-American to complete a residency in ophthalmology and the first female appointed to the faculty of the University of California at Los Angeles.
13. Beard, Andrew J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Rotary Engine, Car Coupler
Patent Numbers: 478271, 594059
Patent Dates: 7/5/1892, 11/23/1897
14. Becket, G. E.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Letter Box
Patent Number: 483325
Patent Date: 10/4/1892
15. Bell, Landrow
What their invention or inventions was/were: Broom Moisteners And Bridles, Dough Kneader
Patent Numbers: 115153, 133823
Patent Dates: 5/23/1871, 12/10/1872
16. Benjamin, L. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Broom Moisteners And Bridles
Patent Numbers: 497747
Patent Dates: 5/16/1893
17. Benjamin, M. E.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Gong And Signal Chairs For Hotels
Patent Number: 386286
Patent Date: 7/17/1888
18. Berger, Edmond
What their invention or inventions was/were: Spark Plug
19. Binga, M. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Street Sprinkling Apparatus
Patent Number: 217843
Patent Date: 7/22/1879
20. Blackburn, A. B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Railway Signal, Spring Seat For Chairs, Cash Carrier
Patent Numbers: 376362, 380420, 391577
Patent Dates: 1/1/1888, 4/3/1888, 10/23/1888
21. Blue, L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Design For Rubber Scraping Knife
Patent Numbers: 298937
Patent Dates: 5/20/1884
22. 17: Booker, L. F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Spring Seat For Chairs
Patent Number: 30404
Patent Date: 3/28/1899
23. Boone, Sarah
What their invention or inventions was/were: Ironing Board
Patent Number: 473653
Patent Date: 4/26/1892
Additional information: Sarah Boone was born in 1832 in North Carolina who would go on to develop a special type of ironing board. Her invention was made from a narrow wooden board that had collapsible legs with the entire device having a padded cover.
Prior to this invention, the most common solution was a simple plank of wood placed across a pair of chairs.
24. Bowman, H. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Making Flags
Patent Number: 469395
Patent Date: 2/23/1892
25. Boykin, Otis
What their invention or inventions was/were: The Artificial Heart Pacemaker Control Unit
Additional information: Otis Boykin was born in Dallas, Texas on August 29, 1920. After his invention of the control unit for pacemakers, he would ironically die from a heart attack in 1982.
Boykin would graduate from Fisk College, Tennessee in 1941 and later took up work at in 1945 P.J. Nilsen Research Laboratories to fund further studies at Illinois Institute of Technology. He dropped out two years later and started his own business in 1947.
26. Bradberry, Henrietta
What their invention or inventions was/were: The Bed Rack
Patent Number: 2320027
Patent Date: 5/25/1943
27. Bradley, Benjamin
What their invention or inventions was/were: First Steam Engine For A Ship
Additional information: Benjamin was born a slave in 1830 and was taught to read and write by his master's children. He would show a talent for invention and later devised the first steam engine for a ship.
Showing a great natural talent for invention, his master referred him to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland to take up a position as an assistant in their Science Department. It was here that he developed his own design for a steam engine.
Being a slave he was not able to patent his invention - he did sell the rights to it, however, and bought his own freedom.
28. Brody & Surgwar
What their invention or inventions was/were: Folding Chair
29. Brooks, Charles B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Street Sweepers, Punch
Patent Numbers: 556711, 507672, 560154
Patent Dates: 3/17/1890, 10/31/1893, 5/12/1896
30. Brooks, Hallstead/Page
What their invention or inventions was/were: Street Sweepers
Patent Number: 558719
Patent Date: 4/21/1896
31. Brown, Henry
What their invention or inventions was/were: Desk-Top File Box/The Modern-Day Fireproof Safe
Patent Number: 352036
Patent Date: 11/2/1886
Additional information: Henry patented his invention for storing and preserving documents and valuables in 1886. Brown’s invention was, later on, improved to evolve into what is known today as a strongbox.
32. Brown, Lincoln F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Bridle Bit
Patent Number: 484994
Patent Date: 10/25/1892
33. Brown, M. V. B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Early Form Of Cctv
Patent Number: 3482037
Patent Date: 25246
Additional information: Marie V. B. Brown was born in 1922 into the crime-ridden neighborhood of Queens, NYC. Her experiences in her youth would ultimately lead her to develop an early form CCTV.
Marie and her partner, Albert Brown, who was an electronics technician, applied for a patent for their invention on August 1, 1966. Their patent was filed for their Home Security System Utilizing Television Surveillance, a closed circuit television system, known today as CCTV system.
Their patent was granted on December 2, 1969.
34. Burr, John
What their invention or inventions was/were: Lawn Mower
35. Burridge & Marshman
What their invention or inventions was/were: Typewriter
36. Burwell, W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Boot Or Shoe
Patent Number: 638143
Patent Date: 11/28/1899
37. Butler, R. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Train Alarm
Patent Number: 584540
Patent Date: 6/15/1897
38. Butts, John W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Luggage Carrier
Patent Numbers: 634611
Patent Dates: 10/10/1899
39. Byrd, T. J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Improvement In Holders For Reins For Horses, Apparatus Detaching Horses From Carriages, Improvement In Neck Yokes For Wagons, Improvement In Car Couplings
Patent Numbers: 123328, 124790, 126181, 157370
Patent Dates: 2/6/1872, 3/19/1872, 4/30/1872, 12/1/1874
40. Campbell, W. S.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Self-Setting Animal Trap
Patent Numbers: 246369
Patent Dates: 8/30/1881
41. Cargill, B. F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Invalid Cot
Patent Numbers: 629658
Patent Dates: 7/25/1899
42. Carrington, T. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Range
Patent Numbers: 180323
Patent Dates: 7/25/1876
43. Carter, W. C.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Umbrella Stand
Patent Number: 323397
Patent Date: 8/4/1885
44. Carver, George Washington
![The A-Z List of Black Inventors](https://static.interestingengineering.com/images//sizes/Carver_Monument_resize_md.jpg)
What their invention or inventions was/were: Peanut Butter, Cosmetics And Producing The Same, Paint And Stain And Producing The Same, Producing Paint And Stains
Patent Numbers: 1522176, 1541478, 1632365
Patent Dates: 01/06/1925, 06/09/1925, 6/14/1927
Additional information: George was born a slave in Missouri between 1860 and 1865 (not exact records exist) during the Civil War. He would later devise over 300 different uses for peanuts, including cooking oil, printer’s ink, and axle grease.
George earned his Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science from Iowa State in 1894 which he followed up with a masters in 1896. He received the 1923 Spingarn Medal and was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
45. Certain, Jerry M.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Parcel Carrier For Bicycles
Patent Number: 639708
Patent Date: 12/26/1899
46. Cherry, M. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Velocipede, Street Car Fender
Patent Numbers: 382351, 531908
Patent Dates: 5/8/1888, 1/1/1895
47. Church, T. S.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Carpet Beating Machine
Patent Number: 302237
Patent Date: 7/29/1884
48. Clare, O. B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Trestle
Patent Number: 390753
Patent Date: 10/9/1888
49. Coates, Robert
What their invention or inventions was/were: Overboot For Horses
Patent Number: 473295
Patent Date: 4/19/1892
50. Cook, George
What their invention or inventions was/were: Automatic Fishing Device
Patent Number: 625829
Patent Date: 5/30/1899
51. Coolidge, J. S.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Harness Attachment
Patent Number: 392908
Patent Date: 11/13/1888
52. Cooper, A. R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Shoemaker’s Jack
Patent Number: 631519
Patent Date: 8/22/1899
53. Cooper, J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Shutter And Fastening, Elevator Device
Patent Number: 276563, 536605, 590257
Patent Date: 5/1/1883, 4/2/1895, 9/21/1897
54. Cornwell, P. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Draft Regulator
Patent Numbers: 390284, 491082
Patent Dates: 10/2/1888, 2/7/1983
55. Cosgrove, W. F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Automatic Stop Plug For Gas Oil Pipes
Patent Number: 313993
Patent Date: 3/17/1885
56. Cralle, Alfred L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Ice-Cream Mold And Disher
Patent Number: 576395
Patent Dates: 2/2/1897
Additional information: Alfred L. Cralle was a Black American inventor and businessman. He is best known for his invention of the ice cream scoop. Cralle was born on the 4th September 1866 in Virginia.
He never acquired a formal education beyond basic schooling as a child. He worked various odd jobs and he would devise the idea for his scoop whilst working at a hotel in Pittsburgh where he noticed how much difficulty people were having serving ice cream with spoons and ladles alone. He was tragically killed during a car accident in 1920.
58. Creamer, H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Steam Trap Feeder, Steam Feed Water Trap
Patent Numbers: 394463, 313854
Patent Dates: 12/11/1888, 3/17/1895
59. Carruthers, George R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: The Ultraviolet Camera Spectrograph
60. Darkins, J. T.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Ventilation Aid
Patent Number: 534322
Patent Date: 2/19/1895
61. Davis, I. D.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Tonic
Patent Number: 351829
Patent Date: 11/2/1886
62. Davis, William D.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Riding Saddles
Patent Number: 568939
Patent Date: 10/6/1896
63. Davis, W. R., Jr.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Library Table
Patent Number: 208378
Patent Date: 9/24/1878
64. Deitz, W. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Shoe
Patent Number: 64205
Patent Date: 4/30/1867
65. De Leon, Martha (Mary) Jones
What their invention or inventions was/were: A Cooking Apparatus
Patent Number: 140253
Patent Date: 24/6/1873
Additional information: Martha DeLeon was the second African-American woman to receive and patent for her invention. Her invention was an early precursor of the steam tables that we see at food buffets worldwide today.
66. Dickinson, Joseph H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Player Piano, Arm For Recording Machine
Patent Numbers: 1028996, 1262411
Patent Dates: 06/11/1912, 01/08/1918
67. Dorsey, O.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Door Knob, Door Stop
Patent Numbers: 210764
Patent Dates: 12/10/1878
68. Dorticus, Clatonia Joaquin
What their invention or inventions was/were: Applicator For Coloring Liquids-Soles And Heels, Machine For Embossing Photo, Photographic Print Wash, Hose Leak Stop
Patent Numbers: 535820, 537442, 537968, 629315
Patent Dates: 3/19/1895, 4/16/1895, 4/23/1895, 7/18/1899
69. Downing, Gertrude E.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Corner Cleaner Attachment
Patent Numbers: 3715772
Patent Dates: 2/13/1973
70. Downing, Paul L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Mail Box
71. Downing, Phillip B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Electric Switch For Railroad, Letter Box
Patent Numbers: 430118, 462093
Patent Dates: 6/17/1890, 10/27/1891
72. Drew, Charles R. Md
What their invention or inventions was/were: Apparatus For Preserving Blood/Blood Plasma Bag
Patent Number: 2301710
Patent Date: 11/10/1942
73. Dunnington, J. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Horse Detachers
Patent Number: 578979
Patent Date: 3/16/1897
74. Edmonds, T. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Separating Screens
Patent Number: 586724
Patent Date: 7/20/1897
75. Eglin, Ellen
What their invention or inventions was/were: Mechanical Clothes Wringer
Additional information: Little is known about Ellen Eglin except she was born in 1849 and worked as a housekeeper and is the inventor of a mechanical clothes wringer.
Afraid that no-one would buy the invention because of her ethnicity she sold her invention for pennies in 1888. She later died in 1890 and never received any recognition for her device in her lifetime.
76. Elkins, T.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Dining, Ironing Table And Quilting Frame, Chamber Commode, Refrigerating Apparatus, Chamber Commode
Patent Numbers: 100020, 122518, 221222
Patent Dates: 2/22/1870, 1/9/1872, 11/4/1879
77. Evans, J. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Convertible Settees
Patent Numbers: 591095
Patent Dates: 10/5/1897
78. Faulkner, H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Ventilated Shoe
Patent Number: 426495
Patent Date: 4/29/1890
79. Ferrell, F. J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Steam Trap, Apparatus For Melting Snow
Patent Numbers: 420993, 428670
Patent Dates: 2/11/1890, 5/27/1890
80. Fisher, David A., Jr.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Joiner’S Clamp, Furniture Castor
Patent Numbers: 162281, 174791
Patent Dates: 4/20/1875, 3/11/1876
81. Fisher, O. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Furniture Caster
82. Flemming, Jr., Robert F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Guitar
83. Grant, George, F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Golf Tee
Additional information: George was an African America dentist, academic, and inventor. He is famed for being the first Black American professor at Harvard and developing the "Perfectum Golf Tee”.
He was born in 1846 in Oswego, New York, to former slaves. George was also famed for being the first Black American professor at Harvard University and became the President of the University's Dental Association.
George died in 1910 from liver disease.
84. Goode, Sarah E.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Cabinet Bed
Patent Number: 322177
Patent Date: 7/14/1885
Additional information: Sarah was the second of seven children and was born into slavery in 1855. She was freed at the end of Civil War, and she went on to become the fourth African-American to be awarded a patent.
It was in Chicago where Sarah met her husband, Archibald Goode, a carpenter, and stair builder. Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit, Sarah opened a furniture store.
It was here that she conceived of her revolutionary bed design after hearing complaints from the neighborhood about bed sizes in their crowded homes. Sarah died on April 8, 1905, in Chicago at the age of 50.
85. Gourdine, Meredith C.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Electrogasdynamic Method And Apparatus
Patent Number: 3449667
Patent Date: 6/10/1969
86. Gray, R. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Bailing Press, Cistern Cleaners
Patent Numbers: 525203, 537151
Patent Dates: 8/28/1894, 4/9/1895
87. Gregory, J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Motor
Patent Number: 361937
Patent Date: 4/26/1887
88. Grenon, H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Razor Stropping Device
Patent Number: 554867
Patent Date: 2/18/1896
89. Griffen, F. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Pool Table Attachment
Patent Number: 626902
Patent Date: 6/13/1899
90. 8: Gunn, S. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Boot Or Shoe
Patent Number: 641642
Patent Date: 1/16/1900
91. Haines, J. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Portable Basin
Patent Number: 590833
Patent Date: 9/28/1897
92. Hall, Lloyd
What their invention or inventions was/were: Food Preservation Techniques
Additional information: Lloyd Hall was a Black American inventor, chemist, and scientist. He is best known for his work on food preservation techniques. Hall was born in 1894 in Elgin, Illinois, and earned his degree in B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1916.
He would later take up employment at Griffith's Laboratories where he would devise his new techniques for food preservation. Hall died in 1971.
93. Hammonds, Julia Terry
What their invention or inventions was/were: Apparatus For Holding Yarn Skeins
Patent Number: 572985
Patent Date: 12/15/1896
94. Hannah, Marc
What their invention or inventions was/were: A Pioneer Of 3-D Graphics In Films
95. Harding, F. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Extension Banquet Table
Patent Number: 614468
Patent Date: 11/22/1898
96. Harney, M. C.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Lantern Or Lamp
Patent Number: 303844
Patent Date: 8/19/1884
97. Harris, Dr. Betty Wright
What their invention or inventions was/were: TATB Spot Test
Patent Number: 4618452
Patent Date: 18/21/1986
Additional information: Dr. Betty Harris is an American organic analytical chemist, a leading expert in explosives, environmental remediation, and hazardous waste treatment. She was awarded a patent for her TATB spot test, which identifies explosives in a field environment.
She was born in July 1940 in rural Louisiana and was one of 12 children. Harris later earned her Bachelor's in Chemistry in 1961 and her Master's in 1963 followed by her Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1973.
98. Harvey, M.C
What their invention or inventions was/were: Lantern
99. Hawkins, Joseph
What their invention or inventions was/were: Gridiron
Patent Number: 3973
Patent Date: 3/26/1845
100. Hawkins, Lincoln Walter
What their invention or inventions was/were: Plastic Cable Sheath
Additional information: Walter was born in 1911 and whilst working at AT & T, he devised and patented a new polymer plastic cable sheath for cables. Walter was fascinated by how things worked at a young age and even built his own spring-driven toy boats and working radio in his youth.
After graduating, he began a lifetime's career at Bell Labs. He finally retired in 1976 and began teaching science and engineering.
101. Hawkins, R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Harness Attachment
Patent Number: 370943
Patent Date: 10/4/1887
102. Headen, M.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Foot Power Hammer
Patent Number: 350363
Patent Date: 10/5/1886
103. Hearness, R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Sealing Attachment For Bottles, Detachable Car Fender
Patent Numbers: 598929, 628003
Patent Dates: 2/15/1898, 7/4/1899
104. Hilyer, A. F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Water Evaporator Attachment Hot Air Registers
Patent Numbers: 435095, 438159
Patent Dates: 8/26/1890, 10/14/1890
105. Holmes, E. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Gage
Patent Numbers: 549513
Patent Dates: 11/12/1895
106. Holmes, Lydia M.
What their invention or inventions was/were: The Knockdown Wheeled Toy
Patent Number: 2529692
Patent Date: 11/14/1950
107. Hunter, John W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Portable Weighing Scales
Patent Numbers: 570553
Patent Dates: 11/3/1896
108. Hyde, R. N.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Composition For Cleaning & Preserving Carpets
Patent Numbers: 392205
Patent Dates: 11/6/1888
109. Jackson, B. F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Heating Apparatus, Matrix Drying Apparatus, Gas Burner
Patent Numbers: 599985, 603879, 622482
Patent Dates: 3/1/1898, 5/10/1898, 4/4/1899
110. Jackson, H. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Kitchen Table
Patent Number: 596135
Patent Date: 10/6/1896
111. Jackson, W. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Railway Switch, Automatic Locking Switch
Patent Numbers: 578641, 593665, 609436
Patent Dates: 3/9/1897, 3/16/1897, 8/23/1898
112. Jennings, Thomas L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Dry Scouring Cleaning Technique
Additional information: Thomas was born in 1791 as a freeman who successfully developed a means of cleaning clothes with a technique called dry scouring. Thomas apprenticed as a tailor in his youth with part of his services being providing dry-cleaning services to clients.
Later on, he created his own business as a tailor and dry-cleaner and became highly respected by his local community. He used his early profits to buy his wife's and children's freedom.
113. Johnson, Issac R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Bicycle Frame
Patent Number: 634823
Patent Date: 10/10/1899
115. Johnson, Lonnie
What their invention or inventions was/were: Super Soaker And 8 Other Patents
116. Johnson, Payton
What their invention or inventions was/were: Swinging Chairs
Patent Number: 249530
Patent Date: 11/15/1881
117. Johnson, Powell
What their invention or inventions was/were: Eye Protector
Patent Number: 234039
Patent Date: 11/2/1880
118. Johnson, W. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Overcoming Dead Centers
Patent Numbers: 554223, 612345
Patent Dates: 2/4/1896, 10/11/1898
119. Johnson, Willis
What their invention or inventions was/were: Egg Beater, Paint Vehicle, Velocipede
Patent Numbers: 292821, 393763, 627335
Patent Dates: 2/5/1884, 12/4/1888, 6/20/1899
120. Jones, Frederick
121. Joyce, J. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Ore Bucket
Patent Number: 603143
Patent Date: 4/26/1898
122. Julian, Percy L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: The Process Of Synthesis
123. Kelley, George W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Steam Table
Patent Number: 592591
Patent Date: 10/26/1897
124. Latimer & Brown
What their invention or inventions was/were: Water Closets For Railway Cars
Patent Number: 147363
Patent Date: 2/10/1874
125. Latimer, Lewis H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Electric Lamp Bulb, Manufacturing Carbons, Apparatus For Cooling And Disinfecting, Locking Racks For Coats, Hats, And Umbrellas
Patent Numbers: 252386, 334078, 557076
Patent Dates: 6/17/1882, 1/12/1886, 3/24/1896
126. Latimer, Lewis-Nichols, Joseph
What their invention or inventions was/were: Electric Lamp
Patent Number: 247097
Patent Date: 9/13/1881
127. Lavalette, W. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Printing Press
Patent Number: 208184
Patent Date: 9/17/1878
128. Lee, H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Animal Trap
Patent Number: 61941
Patent Date: 2/12/1867
129. Lee, Joseph
What their invention or inventions was/were: Kneading Machine, Bread Crumbing Machine
Patent Numbers: 524042, 540553
Patent Dates: 8/7/1894, 6/4/1895
130. Leslie, F. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Envelope Seal
Patent Number: 590325
Patent Date: 9/21/1897
131. Lewis, A. L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Window Cleaner
Patent Number: 483359
Patent Date: 9/27/1892
132. Lewis, E. R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Spring Gun
Patent Number: 362096
Patent Date: 5/3/1887
133. Linden, H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Piano Truck
Patent Number: 459365
Patent Date: 9/8/1891
134. Little, E.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Bridle-Bit
Patent Number: 254666
Patent Date: 3/7/1882
135. Long, A. E. And Jones, A. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Caps For Bottles
Patent Number: 610715
Patent Date: 9/13/1898
136. Loudin, F. J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Key Chain, Sash Fastener, Key Fastener
Patent Numbers: 510432, 512308
Patent Dates: 12/12/1892, 1/9/1894
137. Love, J. L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Plasterers’ Hawk, Pencil Sharpener
Patent Numbers: 542419, 594114
Patent Dates: 7/9/1895, 11/23/1897
138. Maceo West, James Edward
What their invention or inventions was/were: Foil Electret Microphone
Patent Number: 3118022
Patent Date: 5/22/1962
Additional information: James Maceo West is a prolific American inventor and professor best-known for the invention of an early microphone called the electroacoustic transducer electret microphone (ETEM).
He holds over 250 other patents as well. He was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia in 1931. James would later graduate from Temple University in 1957 with a degree in Physics. He then began a lifetime career at Bell Labs as full-time acoustical scientist.
139. Marishane, Ludwick
What their invention or inventions was/were: Dry Bath
140. Marshall, T.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Fire Extinguisher
141. Marshall, W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Grain Binder
Patent Number: 341599
Patent Date: 5/11/1886
142. Marshman, Newman R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Type Writing Machine
Patent Number: 315366
Patent Date: 4/7/1885
143. Martin, Thomas J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Fire Extinguisher
Patent Number: 125063
Patent Date: 5/26/1872
145. Martin, W. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Lock
Patent Numbers: 407738, 443945
Patent Dates: 7/23/1889, 12/30/1890
146. Matzeliger, Jan E.
![The A-Z List of Black Inventors](https://static.interestingengineering.com/images/sizes/Jan_Matzeliger_grave_resize_md.jpg)
What their invention or inventions was/were: Shoe Lasting Machine, Tack Separating Mechanism, Lasting Machine, Nailing Machine, Mechanism For Distributing Tacks
Patent Numbers: 274207, 423937, 459899, 421954, 415726
Patent Dates: 3/20/1883, 3/25/1890, 9/22/1891, 11/26/1899
Additional information: Jan was born in 1852 in Paramaribo in Dutch Guiana. After experimenting with different designs, Jan Matzeliger invented a shoe lasting machine that adjusted the shoe leather upper snugly over the mold.
Jan was born in 1852 as a son of Surinamese and Dutch parents in Paramaribo in Dutch Guiana (now called Suriname). He showed interest in mechanics from a young age and later on in life started work at a shoe factory in 1877 - it was here that he conceived of his invention.
147. Mccoy, Elijah J.
![The A-Z List of Black Inventors](https://static.interestingengineering.com/images//sizes/Elijah_McCoy_resize_md.jpg)
What their invention or inventions was/were: Lubricator For Steam Engines, Lubricator, Steam Lubricator, Steam Lubricator, Steam Lubricator, Ironing Table, Steam Cylinder Lubricator, Steam Dome, Lubricator Attachment, Lubricator For Safety Valves, Drip Cup, Oil Cup, Lawn Sprinkler Design And Many More
Patent Numbers: 129843, 130305, 139407, 146697, 150876, 173032, 179585, 255443, 261166, 320379, 320354, 357491, 361435, 363529, 383745, 383746, 460215, 465875, 472066, 610634, 611759, 615307, 627623, 631549
Patent Dates: 7/2/1872, 8/6/1872, 5/27/1873, 1/20/1874, 5/12/1874, 2/1/1876, 7/4/1876, 3/28/1882, 7/18/1882, 6/16/1885, 6/16/1885, 2/8/1887, 4/19/1887, 5/24/1887, 5/29/1888, 5/29/1888, 9/29/1891, 12/29/1891, 4/5/1892, 9/13/1898, 10/4/1898, 11/15/1898, 6/27/1899, 9/26/1899
Additional information: Elijah McCoy was born in 1844 in Ontario, Canada. His family was one of the few families who was successfully relocated to Canada by the Underground Railroad organization, and later on, their family became very successful.
His parents worked hard and saved money until they had enough put together to send him to Scotland to learn Mechanical Engineering in an apprenticeship. He returned to the U.S. and lead a highly successful career as an engineer.
148. Mccree, D.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Portable Fire Escape
Patent Number: 440322
Patent Date: 11/11/1890
149. Mendenhall, A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Holder For Driving Reins
Patent Number: 637811
Patent Date: 11/28/1899
150. Miles, Alexander
What their invention or inventions was/were: Elevator
Patent Number: 371207
Patent Date: 10/11/1867
151. Mitchell, C. L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Phneterisin
Patent Number: 291071
Patent Date: 1/1/1884
152. Mitchell, J. M.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Cheek Row Corn Planter
Patent Number: 641462
Patent Date: 1/16/1900
153. Montgomery, Benjamin
![The A-Z List of Black Inventors](https://static.interestingengineering.com/images/APRIL/sizes/lost_cities_Ben_resize_md.jpg)
What their invention or inventions was/were: Shallow Water Steam Propeller
Additional information: Benjamin was born into slavery in 1837. Later on in his life, he developed a special propeller design especially for dealing with shallow waters. Whilst a young slave, he attempted to escape but was recaptured.
His master was deeply disturbed by his attempted escape and after some negotiation gave Ben some senior responsibilities at his master's plantation. He was later freed, bought his former master's plantation and become a successful businessman.
154. Moody, W. U.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Game Board Design
Patent Number: 27046
Patent Date: 5/11/1897
155. Morehead, K.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Reel Carrier
Patent Number: 568916
Patent Date: 10/6/1896
156. Morgan, Garrett
What their invention or inventions was/were: Gas Mask & Traffic Light, Breathing Device, Traffic Signal
Additional information: Garrett Morgan was a Black American inventor and community leader. He famously rescued workers trapped within a water intake tunnel in 1916 and was a prolific inventor.
Repairing sewing machines inspired him to make his first invention, a belt fastener for sewing machines. In 1907, he opened his own sewing machine and shoe repair shop. This would grow and expand into the Morgan’s Cut Rate Ladies Clothing Store in 1909 which had 32 employees.
157. Murray, G. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Combined Furrow Opener And Stalk-Knocker, Cultivator And Marker, Combined Cotton Seed, Cotton Chopper, Planter, Planter And Fertilizer Distributor Reaper, Attachment For Bicycles
Patent Numbers: 517960, 517961, 520891, 520888, 520889, 520887, 520890, 520892, 445452
Patent Dates: 4/10/1894, 4/10/1894, 6/5/1894, 6/5/1894, 6/5/1894, 6/5/1894, 6/5/1894, 6/5/1894, 1/27/1891
158. Nance, L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Game Apparatus
Patent Number: 464035
Patent Date: 12/1/1891
159. Nash, H. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Life Preserving Stool
Patent Number: 168519
Patent Date: 10/5/1875
160. Newman, Lyda D.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Improvement On The Hair Brush
Patent Numbers: 614335
Patent Dates: 11/15/1898
Additional information: Lydia is best known for her invention of an improved hairbrush design in 1898. She was born in Ohio in 1885 and later worked privately in Manhattan as a family hairdresser.
Whilst working here, she developed her concept for a new design of hairbrush. Her design greatly improved on conventional through its improved efficiency and hygiene.
161. Newson, S.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Oil Heater Or Cooker
Patent Number: 520188
Patent Date: 5/22/1894
162. Nickerson, W. J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Mandolin And Guitar Attachment For Pianos
Patent Number: 627739
Patent Date: 6/27/1899
163. O’Connor & Turner
What their invention or inventions was/were: Alarm For Boilers, Steam Gage, Alarm For Coasts Containing Vessels
Patent Numbers: 566612, 566613, 598572
Patent Dates: 8/25/1896, 8/25/1896, 2/8/1898
164. Outlaw, J. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Horseshoes
Patent Number: 614273
Patent Date: 11/15/1898
165. Parker, Alice H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Improvement On The Heating Furnace
Patent Number: 1325905
Patent Date: 12/23/1919
166. Perryman, F. R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Caterers’ Tray Table
Patent Number: 468038
Patent Date: 2/2/1892
167. Peterson, H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Attachment For Lawn Mowers
Patent Number: 402189
Patent Date: 4/30/1889
168. Phelps, W. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Apparatus For Washing Vehicles
Patent Number: 579242
Patent Date: 3/23/1897
169. Pickering, J. F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Air Ship
Patent Number: 643975
Patent Date: 2/20/1900
170. Pickett, H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Scaffold
Patent Number: 152511
Patent Date: 6/30/1874
171. Pinn, T. B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: File Holder
Patent Number: 231355
Patent Date: 8/17/1880
172. Polk, A. J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Bicycle Support
Patent Number: 558103
Patent Date: 4/14/1896
173. Pugsley, A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Blind Stop
Patent Number: 433306
Patent Date: 7/29/1890
174. Purdy & Peters
What their invention or inventions was/were: Design For Spoons
Patent Number: 24228
Patent Date: 4/23/1895
175. Purdy & Sadgwar
What their invention or inventions was/were: Folding Chair
Patent Number: 405117
Patent Date: 6/11/1889
176. Purdy, W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Device For Sharpening Edged Tools
Patent Numbers: 570337, 609367, 630106
Patent Dates: 10/27/1896, 3/16/1898, 8/1/1899
177. Purvis, William B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Bag Fastener, Hand Stamp, Fountain Pen, Electric Railway, Magnetic Car Balancing Device, Electric Railway Switch
Patent Numbers: 256856, 273149, 419065, 519291, 539542, 588176
Patent Dates: 4/25/1882, 2/27/1885, 1/7/1890, 5/1/1894, 5/21/1895, 8/17/1897
178. Queen, W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Guard For Companion Ways And Hatches
Patent Number: 458131
Patent Date: 8/18/1891
179. Ray, Lawrence P.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Dust Pan
180. Ray, Lloyd P.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Chair Supporting Device
Patent Numbers: 587607, 620078
Patent Dates: 8/3/1887, 2/21/1899
181. Reed, John W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Rolling Pin
182. Reed, Judy W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Improvements In The Doug Kneader And Roller
Patent Number: 305474
Patent Date: 9/20/1884
Additional information: Judy was the third African-American to ever receive a patent. Little else is known about her life.
183. Reynolds, Humphrey H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Window Ventilator For Railroad Cars, Safety Gate For Bridges
Patent Number: 275271, 437937
Patent Date: 4/3/1883, 10/7/1890
184. Reynolds, Mary Jane
What their invention or inventions was/were: Hoisting And Loading Mechanism
Patent Number: 1337667
Patent Date: 4/20/1920
185. Reynolds, R. R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Non-Refillable Bottle
Patent Number: 624092
Patent Date: 5/2/1899
186. Rhodes, J. B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: The Water Closet
Patent Numbers: 639290
Patent Dates: 12/19/1899
187. Richardson, W.H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Baby Buggy
188. Richardson, Albert C.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Hame Fastener, Churn, Casket Lowering Device, Insect Destroyer, Bottle
Patent Numbers: 255022, 446470, 529311, 620362, 638811
Patent Dates: 3/14/1882, 2/17/1891, 11/13/1894, 2/28/1899, 12/12/1899
189. Richardson, William H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Cotton Chopper
Patent Numbers: 343140, 405599, 405600
Patent Dates: 6/1/1886, 6/18/1889, 6/18/1889
190. Richardson, William. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Child’S Carriage
191. Richey, C. V.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Car Coupling, Railroad Switch, Fire Escape Bracket, Combined Hammock And Stretcher
Patent Numbers: 584650, 587657, 592448, 596427, 615907
Patent Dates: 6/15/1897, 8/3/1897, 10/26/1897, 12/28/1897, 12/13/1898
192. Rickman, A. L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Overshoe
Patent Number: 598816
Patent Date: 2/8/1898
193. Ricks, J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Horse Shoe
Patent Numbers: 338781, 626245
Patent Dates: 3/30/1886, 6/6/1899
194. Rillieux, Norbert
What their invention or inventions was/were: Sugar Refiner (Evaporating Pan)
Patent Number: 4879
Patent Date: 12/10/1846
195. Robinson, E. R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Electric Railway Trolley, Casting Composite
Patent Numbers: 505370, 594286
Patent Dates: 9/19/1893, 11/23/1897
196. Robinson, J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Dinner Pail, Life Saving Guards For Locomotives, Life Saving Guards For Street Cars
Patent Numbers: 356852, 621143, 623929
Patent Dates: 2/1/1887, 3/14/1899, 4/25/1899
197. Romain, A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Passenger Register
Patent Number: 402035
Patent Date: 4/23/1889
198. Ross, A. L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Runner For Stops, Bag Closure, Trousers Support
Patent Numbers: 565301, 605343, 638068
Patent Dates: 8/4/1896, 6/7/1898, 11/28/1899
199. Ross, J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Bailing Press
Patent Number: 632539
Patent Date: 9/5/1899
200. Roster, D. N.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Feather Curler
Patent Number: 556166
Patent Date: 3/10/1896
201. Ruffin, S.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Vessels For Liquids And Manner Of Sealing
Patent Number: 737603
Patent Date: 11/20/1899
202. Russell, Lewis A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Guard Attachment For Beds
Patent Number: 544381
Patent Date: 8/13/1895
203. S. Grant, William
What their invention or inventions was/were: Curtain Rod Support
204. Sammons, W. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: The Comb
Patent Number: 1362823
Patent Date: 12/21/1920
205. Sampson, George T.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Sled Propeller, Clothes Drier
Patent Numbers: 312388, 476416
Patent Dates: 2/17/1885, 6/7/1892
206. Sampson, Henry T.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Cellular Phone
207. Scott, R. P.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Corn Silker
Patent Numbers: 524223
Patent Dates: 8/7/1894
208. Scottron, S. R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Adjustable Window Cornice, Cornice, Pole Tip, Curtain Rod, Supporting Bracket, Scottron'S Improved Mirror
Patent Numbers: 224732, 270851, 349525, 481720, 505008
Patent Dates: 2/17/1880, 1/16/1883, 9/30/1886, 8/30/1892, 9/12/1893
Additional information: Samuel R. Scottron was a Black American inventor and entrepreneur. He was a prominent member of Brooklyn’s Black Elite community and is best known as the inventor of the Scottron's Improved Mirror.
He worked as a barber with his father in his early years who later worked as a merchant during the civil war. Postwar he opened a series of grocery shops and a barber shop in Springfield.
It was with his barber venture that he conceived of his famed mirror and other inventions. His devices would eventually make him a wealthy man.
209. Shanks, S. C.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Sleeping Car Berth Register
Patent Number: 587165
Patent Date: 7/21/1897
210. Shorter, D. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Feed Rack
Patent Number: 363089
Patent Date: 5/17/1887
211. Smith, J. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Lawn Sprinkler, Improvement In Games
Patent Numbers: 601065, 647887, 581785
Patent Dates: 3/22/1898, 4/17/1900, 5/4/1897
212. Smith, Mildred E.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Family Relationships Card Game
Patent Number: 4230321
Patent Date: 10/28/1980
213. Smith, P. D.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Potato Digger, Grain Binder
Patent Numbers: 445206, 469279
Patent Dates: 1/21/1891, 2/23/1892
214. Snow & Johns
What their invention or inventions was/were: Liniment
Patent Number: 437728
Patent Date: 10/7/1890
215. Spears, H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Portable Shield For Infantry Y
Patent Number: 110599
Patent Date: 12/27/1870
216. Spikes, R. B.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Combination Milk Bottle Opener & Bottle Cover, Automatic Gear Shift, Obtaining Samples & Temp. Of Liquids, Transmission And Shifting Thereof
Patent Numbers: 1590557, 1828753, 1889814, 1936996
Patent Dates: 6/29/1926, 10/27/1931, 12/06/1932, 11/28/1933
217. Standard, J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Oil Stove, Refrigerator
Patent Numbers: 413689, 455891
Patent Dates: 10/29/1889, 7/14/1891
218. Stewart & Johnson
What their invention or inventions was/were: Metal Bending Machine, Mop
Patent Number: 375512
Patent Date: 12/27/1887
219. Stewart, E. W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Machine For Forming Vehicle Sear Bars, Punching Machine
Patent Number: 373698, 362190
Patent Date: 3/22/1887, 5/3/1887
220. Stewart, Thomas W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Mop, Station Indicator
Patent Numbers: 499402, 499895
Patent Dates: 6/13/1893, 6/20/1893
221. Sutton, E. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Cotton Cultivator
Patent Number: 149543
Patent Date: 4/7/1874
222. Sweeting, J. A.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Device For Rolling Cigarettes, Combined Knife And Scoop
Patent Numbers: 594501, 605209
Patent Dates: 11/30/1897, 6/7/1898
223. Taylor, B. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Rotary Engine, Slide Valve
Patent Numbers: 202888, 585798
Patent Dates: 4/23/1878, 7/6/1897
224. Temple, Lewis
![The A-Z List of Black Inventors](https://static.interestingengineering.com/images/APRIL/sizes/Genius_Black_American_Lewis_Temple_resize_md.jpg)
What their invention or inventions was/were: Temple'S Toggle/Blood Harpoon
Additional information: Lewis was born in 1800. He is most famed for his invention of a revolutionary harpoon that was based on an Eskimo design.
He was later freed and moved to the whaling village of New Bedford, Massachusetts sometime in the 1820's - where he took up work as a blacksmith.
It was here that he developed his new type of harpoon. He never patented it and so it became freely copied.
225. Thomas, S. E.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Waste Trap For Basins, Closets, Etc., Casting, Pipe Connection
Patent Numbers: 286746, 371107, 386941, 390821
Patent Dates: 10/16/1883, 10/4/1887, 7/31/1888, 10/9/1888
226. Thomas, Valerie
What their invention or inventions was/were: Illusion Transmitter
Patent Number: 4229761
Patent Date: 29515
Additional information: Valerie Thomas is an accomplished African-American scientist and inventor who patented the illusion transmitter and contributed greatly to NASA research.
She was born in May 1943 in Maryland and quickly showed an aptitude and fascination for technology at a young age. She later graduated from Morgan State University and became one of only two women to major in Physics there.
She later began a lifelong career at NASA in 1964.
227. Toliver, G.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Propeller For Vessels
Patent Number: 451086
Patent Date: 4/28/1891
228. Tregoning & Latimer
What their invention or inventions was/were: Globe Supporter For Electric Lamps
Patent Number: 255212
Patent Date: 3/21/1882
229. Turner, M. Turner
What their invention or inventions was/were: The Fruit Press
Patent Number: 1180959
Patent Date: 4/25/1916
230. Virgle M. Ammons
What their invention or inventions was/were: Fireplace Damper Actuating Tool
Patent Number: 3908633
Patent Date: 9/30/1975
231. Walker, Madam C. J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Straightening Comb
Additional information: Madame C. J. Walker was born in 1867 into a family of slaves. She was later freed and would go on to build a very successful hairdressing salon.
Born as Sarah Breedlove, she was orphaned at age 7 and was later freed under President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation that came into force in 1863.
232. Walker, P.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Machine For Cleaning Seed Cotton, Bait Holder
Patent Numbers: 577153, 600241
Patent Dates: 2/16/1897, 3/8/1898
233. Waller, J. N.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Shoemaker’S Cabinet Or Bench
Patent Number: 224253
Patent Date: 2/3/1880
234. Washington, W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Corn Husking Machine
Patent Number: 283173
Patent Date: 8/14/1883
235. Watkins, Isaac
What their invention or inventions was/were: Scrubbing Frame
Patent Number: 437849
Patent Date: 10/7/1890
236. Watts, J. R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Bracket For Miners’ Lamp
Patent Number: 493137
Patent Date: 3/7/1893
237. West, E. H.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Weather Shield
Patent Number: 632385
Patent Date: 9/5/1899
238. West, John W.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Running Gear (Wagon)
Patent Number: 108419
Patent Date: 10/18/1870
239. White, D. L.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Extension Steps For Cars
Patent Number: 574969
Patent Date: 1/12/1897
240. White, J. T.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Lemon Squeezer
Patent Number: 572849
Patent Date: 12/8/1896
241. Williams, C.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Canopy Frame
Patent Number: 468280
Patent Date: 2/2/1892
242. Williams, J. P.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Pillow Sham Holder
Patent Number: 634784
Patent Date: 10/10/1899
243. Winn, Frank
What their invention or inventions was/were: Direct Acting Steam Engine
Patent Number: 394047
Patent Date: 12/4/1888
244. Winters, Joseph R.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Fire Escape Ladders
Patent Numbers: 203517, 214224
Patent Dates: 5/7/1878, 4/8/1879
Additional information: Joseph Winters was a Black American abolitionist and inventor. He is best known for his patent for a wagon-mounted fire escape ladder.
He was also an active member in the Underground Railroad movement in the United States. Joseph developed his ladders whilst noting the trouble fireman had unloading and raising their ladders from wagons. Joseph died in 1916 at the age of 100.
245. Wood, J. F.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Potato Digger
Patent Numbers: 537953, 299894, 308876, 315368, 364619, 366192
Patent Dates: 4/23/1895, 6/3/1884, 12/2/1884, 4/7/1885, 6/7/1887, 7/5/1887
246. Woods, Granville T.
Patent Numbers: 299894, 308876, 315368, 364619, 366192, 368265, 371241, 371655, 373383, 373915, 383844, 385034, 386282, 387839, 388803, 395533, 463020, 509065, 569443, 639692, 667110, 678086, 681768, 687098, 701981, 718183, 729481
Patent Dates: 6/3/1884, 12/2/1884, 4/7/1885, 6/7/1887, 7/5/1887, 8/16/1887, 10/11/1887, 10/18/1887, 11/15/1887, 11/29/1887, 5/29/1888, 6/26/1888, 7/17/1888, 8/14/1888, 8/28/1888, 1/1/1889, 11/10/1891, 11/21/1893, 10/13/1896, 12/19/1899, 1/29/1901, 616, 434, 11/19/1901, 1010, 1/13/1903, 5/26/1903
Additional information: Granville Woods was a very prolific inventor who came to be known as the Black Edison. He made key contributions to the development of the telephone, streetcar and more.
247. Wormley, J.
What their invention or inventions was/were: Life Saving Apparatus
Patent Number: 242091
Patent Date: 5/24/1881