African-American Inventors

Despite the many obstacles that African-American inventors have faced, there is a rich and long history of African-American inventors. One of the first black inventors who was able to obtain a U.S. patent was Thomas L. Jennings, who obtained a patent in 1821 for a dry-cleaning process.

Other early African-American inventors include Henry Blair, who received a patent for a seed planter in 1834 and a corn harvester in 1836, and Granville T. Woods who received 27 patents, beginning with his first patent in 1884 for a steam boiler furnace. He has been described as the "Black Edison."

Here are some good sites to find information on important African-American inventors and their patents.

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African-American Inventors Videos

Black Inventors

A Few Black Inventors from the 1800's to 2000

Black Inventors

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Recommended Books on African-American Inventors

The Inventive Spirit of African Americans: Patented Ingenuity

 

African American Inventors (Black Stars)

 

Black Stars: African American Women Scientists and Inventors

 

Black Inventors in the Age of Segregation: Granville T. Woods, Lewis H. Latimer, and Shelby J. Davidson (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology)

 

Your Little Black Book, Vol. 1 African American Inventions and Inventors (Your Little Black Book)

George Washington Carver

Now You Know! XL - Black Inventors Series


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African American Scientists and Inventors

More BOOKS on Black Inventors!