Sarah Boone (1832 - 1904)
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we wanted to highlight 10 Black inventors who changed the Jan/San industry. These life/labor-saving contributions have forever impacted the way we live.
Charles B. Brooks
Self-Propelled Street Sweeper
Thanks to the Brooks-designed truck, city streets are much cleaner. Patented on March 17, 1896, Charles Brooks designed the street sweeper with a series of broom-like brushes that pushed trash and debris off to the side of the road. The Newark, New Jersey, native also had two other successful patents including dust-proof collection bags for his street sweeper and a ticket punch that collected the tiny circular pieces of paper instead of letting them fall to the ground.
Meredith Gourdine
Allergen Filtration Device
Gourdine held over 30 patents and many of his creations serve as the basis for allergen-filtration devices that we still use globally today. His biggest creation was the Incineraid system, which was used to disperse smoke from burning buildings and could be used to disperse fog on airport runways. The Incineraid system worked by negatively charging smoke or fog, causing the airborne particles within to be electromagnetically charged and then to fall to the ground. The result was clean air and a clear area.
Frederick McKinley Jones
Automatic Refrigeration Equipment
Before Frederick McKinley Jones developed the automatic refrigeration equipment used in long-haul trucks transporting perishables in the late 1940s, the only way to keep food cold en route to delivery destinations was by using ice. Thanks to his invention, grocery stores were able to buy and sell products (many of which you probably purchase regularly) from far distances without the risk of them spoiling during transport. Jones’ technology was also used to transport blood during World War II.
Sarah Boone
Ironing Board
In 1892, Sarah Boone patented a design improvement to McCoy’s ironing board. The North Carolina native wrote in her application that the purpose of her invention was "to produce a cheap, simple, convenient, and highly effective device, particularly adapted to be used in ironing the sleeves and bodies of ladies' garments."
Thomas L. Jennings
Dry Cleaning
The first African American U.S. patent recipient was working as a tailor and businessman in New York City when he invented a process for dry-cleaning delicate clothing known as “dry-scouring.” Jennings applied for a patent in 1820 and received his history-making approval the following year. With the money he earned from his invention, the formerly enslaved person both donated to abolitionist causes and even reportedly freed his still-enslaved family members.
Garrett Morgan
Gas Mask
Born in 1877 in Paris, Kentucky—Garrett Morgan grew up to be an extraordinary man. Not only did he invent the gas mask, but he also invented the traffic light. In 1912, Morgan developed the Safety Hood and patented it as a Breathing Device, but the world came to know it as a Gas Mask. At the Second International Exposition of Safety and Sanitation, the device won first prize and Morgan was awarded a gold medal. Morgan’s Safety Hood, now known as the Gas Mask was utilized by the United States Army and saved the lives of thousands of soldiers.
Lloyd Ray
Dust Pan
Lloyd Ray created a device with a metal plate attached to a short wooden handle in which dirt, dust, and debris could be swept up without getting your hands dirty. Patented in 1897, dustpans continue to be a staple of most households.
Thomas Stewart
The Mop
Inventor Thomas Stewart felt there must have been an easier way to get floors clean without scrubbing them on your hands and knees. In 1893, Stewart patented a new type of mop. Attaching a cloth to a stick handle, Stewart made one of the hardest household chores less labor-intensive.
Percy Julian
Pioneer in the Field of Synthetic Chemistry
Known worldwide as a trailblazer in the world of chemistry, Percy Julian discovered treatments to help with cancer, miscarriages, arthritis, and other ailments. In 1935, Julian also worked at the Glidden Company as a chief chemist. At Glidden Company, Julian came up with products such as aero-foam which worked as a flame retardant and was used by the United States Navy and saved the lives of countless sailors during World War II. After years of struggling for respect in his field and his community, Julian was finally recognized as a genius and a pioneer. He received countless awards, honors and was asked to serve on numerous commissions and advisory boards.
Lloyd Hall
Revolutionized the World of Food Preservation—Sterilizing foods, utensils, and tools.
Although many people thought that certain spices and flavorings also had the added benefit of preserving foods, Hall found that many of these agents exposed the foods to an abundance of germs, molds, and bacteria. In 1925, Hall took a position with Griffith Laboratories where he eventually found a gas called ethylene oxide, which eliminated the germs and bacteria while maintaining appearances, taste, and aroma. Hall left behind a legacy as a pioneer in the field of food chemistry and is responsible for improving health conditions in all areas of the food industry.
Sources:
https://www.biography.com/news/madam-cj-walker-black-inventors
