Kristi's Book Nook celebrates Black History and diversity everyday. This is a great time to focus on history and the people that made this country what it is today.
Safety, efficiency and profitability – these are the major reasons for the success of an invention. As well, an even greater qualification is when the invention revolutionizes an industry and an overwhelming effect on society. Norbert Rillieux can certainly be seen to have achieved all of these goals.
This first week of the celebrated month might be a good time to learn about some black inventors who either helped change our world or played a very big part in creating some of the best inventions the country had seen. I look forward to hearing some of your suggestions for reading. Feel free to leave a comment below.
Thomas L. Jennings
Thomas L. Jennings (1791 – February 12, 1856) was an African-American tradesman and abolitionist in New York City, New York. He operated and owned a tailoring and dry-cleaning business, and, on March 3,1821, he was granted patent 3306x for a dry scrub process as the first African American to be granted a patent.[1]
Norbert Rillieux
Safety, efficiency and profitability – these are the major reasons for the success of an invention. As well, an even greater qualification is when the invention revolutionizes an industry and an overwhelming effect on society. Norbert Rillieux can certainly be seen to have achieved all of these goals.
Norbert Rillieux was born on March 17, 1806 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Norbert was born a free man, although his mother was a slave. His father was a wealthy White engineer involved in the cotton industry. As a child Norbert was educated in the Catholic school system in New Orleans but was sent to Paris, France for advanced schooling. He studied at the L’Ecole Centrale, the top engineering school in the country and at age 24 became an instructor of applied mechanics at the school, the youngest person to achieve this position. He published a series of papers related to “the Functions and Economic Implications of the Steam Engine.” Eventually, in 1834, Rillieux returned home to his father’s plantation which was now also being used to process and refine sugar.
Madame C.J. Walker invented hair care products for African American women
and traveled the country promoting her brand. Through calculated marketing,
Walker became one of America’s first self-made female millionaires.
Image via Getty
and traveled the country promoting her brand. Through calculated marketing,
Walker became one of America’s first self-made female millionaires.
Image via Getty
Dr. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe, a tool that corrects cataracts
during eye surgery. Cateracts are an eye condition that can lead to blindness,
and Bath’s tool provided a less invasive, safer method of removing them.
When she patented the laser in 1988, Bath became the first black female d
octor to secure a medical patent.
Image via Getty
during eye surgery. Cateracts are an eye condition that can lead to blindness,
and Bath’s tool provided a less invasive, safer method of removing them.
When she patented the laser in 1988, Bath became the first black female d
octor to secure a medical patent.
Image via Getty
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