Our exclusive podcast features Keith Holmes author and researcher who has interviewed numerous black inventors across the globe and has written a ground-breaking book called; Black Inventors, Crafting Over 200 Years of Success
Dr. Charles R. Drew
The Father of the Blood Bank
Charles Richard Drew, the African American surgeon and researcher who organized America’s first large-scale blood bank and trained a generation of black physicians at Howard University. Drew’s innovative work was recognized by awards and honors
Granville T. Woods
Black Edison
Granville T. Woods was an African-American inventor and was born on April 23, 1856, in Columbus, Ohio. He left school when he was ten years old and went to work to help support his family. Woods became an apprentice to a machinist. He learned blacksmithing and how to invent and repair machines. Woods continued his education by attending night school. (Inventor Flashcards podcast #01- Granville T. Woods)
Mark E. Dean
The First Gigahertz Chip
Mark Dean and his co-inventor Dennis Moeller created a microcomputer system with bus control means for peripheral processing devices. Their invention paved the way for the growth in the Information Technology industry by allowing the use of plug-in subsystems and peripherals like disk drives, video gear, speakers, and scanners.
Frederick McKinley Jones
The Man with a Million Ideas
Frederick Jones invented the first successful system for mobile refrigeration. His invention eliminated the far less effective use of ice and salt to preserve foods for transport, greatly extending the distance over which food could be successfully delivered.
Garrett A. Morgan
The Universal Inventor
In 1914, Garrett Morgan patented a breathing device in the form of a canvas hood—a precursor to the modern gas mask. Garrett Morgan invented the first automatic three-way traffic signal system, which he eventually sold to General Electric. Garrett Morgan was the first Black man in Cleveland, Ohio, to own a car.(Inventor Flashcards podcast #03- Garrett A. Morgan)
Lewis Latimer
The Father of the lightbulb and telephone
Despite racism and discrimination and with unequal access to education and opportunity, Latimer played a major role in the development of two products that greatly impacted the lives of Americans: the light bulb and the telephone. The fact that he was a Black American born in the 19th century made his many successes even more impressive. (Inventor Flashcards podcast #04- Lewis H. Latimer)
Elijah McCoy
The Real McCoy
In 1916 McCoy created the graphite lubricator which allowed new superheater trains and devices to be oiled. In 1920, Elijah established the “Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company.” With his new company, he improved and sold the graphite lubricator as well as other inventions which came to him out of necessity. He developed and patented a portable ironing board after his wife expressed a need for an easier way of ironing clothes. When he desired an easier and faster way of watering his lawn, he created and patented the lawn sprinkler. (Inventor Flashcards podcast #02- Elijah McCoy)
