In the eyes of many, innovation is respected through a patent system. Patents give inventors a monopoly over their invention for a limited time period, allowing them, if they wish, to make money through things like sales and licensing. Many would expect the patent system of America’s innovation policy to provide strong incentives for inventors who spend many hours developing inventions. Despite the language being race neutral like the US Constitution, the patent system didn’t apply for Black Americans born into slavery. Black Americans were not considered American citizens and laws at the time prevented Blacks from applying for or holding property, including patents. In 1857, the U.S. commissioner of patents officially ruled that slave inventions couldn’t be patented.
If Blacks were not inventing, why would the US commissioner of patents officially rule that slave inventions could not be patented? This question has long been a problem for White supremacists and White nationalists.
Slave owners often took credit for their slaves’ inventions and in one well-documented case a Black inventor named Ned invented an effective, innovative cotton scraper. His slave master, Oscar Stewart, attempted to patent the invention. Because Stewart was not the actual inventor, and because the actual inventor was born into slavery, the application was rejected. Stewart ultimately began selling the cotton scraper without the benefit of patent protection and made a significant amount of money doing so. In his advertisements, he openly touted that the product was “the invention of a Negro slave – thus giving the lie to the abolition cry that slavery dwarfs the mind of the Negro. When did a free Negro ever invent anything?” (Smithsonian Magazine)
Documented history shows that the US patent office often denied patent applications filed by slave owners. Slave owners objected to the Attorney General’s opinion, arguing that they were entitled to own all of the fruits of the labor of their slaves, whether physical or mental. Slave owners unsuccessfully tried to amend the Patent Act to enable slave owners to patent the inventions of their slaves, which the Patent Act of the Confederate States of America explicitly permitted. One of many examples is when Senator Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, who later became the President of the Confederate States of America, was denied a patent application because his slave was the inventor. Always remember, Black Americans could not be citizens of the United States under the Dred Scott law, and their inventions were not allowed to be patent.
A un-named source is currently circulating in America that Blacks have not invented anything of substance and that there is a Myth of Black inventors or inventions. The website is called – Black invention Myths
https://www.blackinventionmyths.com/
The individuals behind this propaganda website have decided to hide who they are while spreading half-truths and lies regarding Black inventions or Black inventors. The authors of the site dispute many inventions by Blacks. One example of such objections is the invention of the Three Way Traffic signal and its magnitude and impact. The authors say, “The earliest electric traffic lights include Lester Wire’s two-color version set up in Salt Lake City circa 1912, James Hoge’s system (US patent #1,251,666) installed in Cleveland by the American Traffic Signal Company in 1914, and William Potts’ 4-way red-yellow-green lights introduced in Detroit beginning in 1920. New York City traffic towers began flashing three-color signals also in 1920. Garrett Morgan’s cross-shaped, crank-operated semaphore was not among the first half-hundred patented traffic signals, nor was it “automatic” as is sometimes claimed, nor did it play any part in the evolution of the modern traffic light.” What the authors fail to mention was that “Based on a design by James Hoge, who received U.S. patent 1,251,666 for his ‘Municipal Traffic Control System’ in 1918, it consisted of four pairs of red and green lights that served as stop-go indicators, each mounted on a corner post. Wired to a manually operated switch inside a control booth, the system was configured so that conflicting signals were impossible.” The authors are literally arguing bad faith arguments, to promote their anti-Black hate.
Lisa Cook, Department of Economics and Michigan State University, documented the following. “Passage of segregation laws decreased access to patenting institutions and to social networks and institutions that support invention and innovation. The offices of patent attorneys (all white at the time) were in “white-only” commercial districts, hindering African American inventors from applying for patents. With little recourse to the courts, African Americans would have found it nearly impossible to fight patent infringement, even if they had been represented by white attorneys.
The truth of the matter is that Blacks are likely responsible for over 50 percent of the inventions in the United States of America.
Garrett Morgan
In 1923, Morgan patented his best-known invention, the three-way traffic signal. As an early enthusiast of automobiles, Morgan quickly recognized the need for better traffic control on congested city streets. His signal was based on signs that signaled stop and go. He sold his patent rights for $40,000 to General Electric, which developed an electric version. Morgan’s first well-known invention was the safety hood, a forerunner of the gas mask. The hood was popularized during a tragic accident in Cleveland, Ohio. When 32 workers were trapped during a tunnel collapse under Lake Erie in 1916, rescuers were unable to reach them because smoke, dust and fumes blocked their way. Morgan and several volunteers using the masks were able to reach the trapped men and rescue several survivors. Garrett Augustus Morgan produced a series of successful inventions in the beginning of the 20th Century.
The Gas Mask; Three-way Traffic Signal
U.S. Patent Nos. 1,090,936; 1,475,024
U.S. Patent 1,113,675 “Breathing Device,” October 13, 1914,
Frederick McKinley Jones
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. Jones designed a durable small unit with a compressor mounted under the trailer that was powered by a four-cylinder engine. Used in trucks, railroad cars, ships, and planes, Jones’ technology revolutionized the distribution of food and other perishables. It made fresh produce available anywhere in the country year-round, changing Americans’ eating habits.Jones went on to found Thermo King Corporation to produce the mobile refrigeration device. Thermo King became an international corporation and had over $1 billion in annual sales when it was acquired by the Ingersoll-Rand Company in 1997.
Mobile Refrigeration
U.S. Patent No. 2,303,857
Lewis Latimer
Latimer invented the modern “durable light bulb.” Previous bulbs would often burn out quickly, had short lifespans, and were too expensive to produce. Previous inventors attempted the improve the durability of the light bulb, but all failed. Latimer’s invention birthed the first useful light bulb through the application of a carbon fiber filament. This invention ended in a simple design resulting in low cost. Despite the societal roadblocks a black man faced in the late nineteenth century, Latimer successfully oversaw the set up of electric lighting plants in the United States, Canada, and England.
Durable Carbon Filament for Electric Light Bulbs
U.S. Patent No. 252,386
U.S. Patent 147,363 “Water closets for railway cars,” February 10, 1874,
U.S. Patent 247,097 “Electric lamp” (with Nichols, Joseph V.), September 13, 1881,
U.S. Patent 255,212 “Globe supporter for electric lamps” (with Tregoning, John), March
U.S. Patent 334,078 “Apparatus for cooling and disinfecting,” January 12, 1886,
U.S. Patent 557,076 “Locking rack for hats, coats, and umbrellas,” March 24, 1896,
U.S. Patent 968,787 “Lamp fixture”
Elijah McCoy
Elijah McCoy received his first patent for an automatic lubricating device in 1872. Previously, engines had to be stopped before necessary lubrication could be applied. McCoy’s invention allowed engines to be lubricated while they ran, saving precious time and money. His reputation spread, and users of heavy equipment were wary of buying cheap substitutes. As a result, they often asked for “the real McCoy,” a phrase that still exists in today’s vocabulary.
Automatic Engine Lubricator
U.S. Patent No. 129,843
U.S. Patent 614,307 “Oil Cup,” November 15, 1898,
U.S. Patent 470,163, “Lubricator,” March 1, 1892,
U.S. Patent 460,215, “Dope Cup,” September 29, 1891,
U.S. Patent 270,238, “Lubricator,” January 9, 1883,
U.S. Patent 383, 745, “Lubricator,” May 29, 1888,
U.S. Patent 68,725, “Rubber Heel,” November 10, 1925,
U.S. Patent 39,542, “Eraser,” September 15, 1908,
U.S. Patent 1,127,789, “Tread for Tires,” February
Marian Croak
Engineer Marian Croak holds more than 200 patents. Croak is widely known for her invention which allows users to make calls over the internet instead of a phone line. Today, the widespread use of VoIP technology is vital for remote work and conferencing work has furthered the capabilities of audio and video conferencing, making it a practical reality in today’s world.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Technology
U.S. Patent No. 7,599,359
Patricia Bath
Dr. Patricia Bath invented laserphaco, a new device, and technique to remove cataracts. It performed all steps of cataract removal: making the incision, destroying the lens and vacuuming out the fractured pieces.
Laserphaco Cataract Surgery
U.S. Patent No. 4,744,360
U.S. Patent 6,083,192, “Pulsed Ultrasound Method for Fragmenting/Emulsifying and
Removing Cataractous Lenses,” July 4, 2000,
U.S. Patent 6,544,254, “Combination Ultrasound and Laser Method and Apparatus for
Removing Cataract Lenses,” April 8, 2003,
U.S. Patent 7,182,759, “Cataract Extraction Apparatus and Method with Rapid Pulse
Phaco Power,” February 27, 2007,
U.S. Patent 6,733,491, “Cataract Extraction Apparatus and Method,” May 11, 2004
George Edward Alcorn
George Alcorn is a pioneering physicist and engineer noted for his aerospace and semiconductor inventions. His x-ray imaging spectrometer, patented during his career at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), allowed for the detection of radio signatures at a more distant and accurate rate than previously possible and influenced the continued evolution of imaging devices.
X-Ray Spectrometer
U.S. Patent No. 4,472,728
Howard S. Jones, Jr.
Howard Jones invented the conformal antenna, a type of antenna found in applications including rockets, missiles, and spacecraft. His innovations in antenna technology dramatically expanded the capabilities of U.S. defense and space systems, and continue to impact defense systems to this day.
Until Jones’ breakthrough, most antennas—vital for the guidance of military, air, space, and weapon fuzing systems—were separately added on to the structures they enhanced, a practice that created drag during flight. Jones conceived of antennas designed to conform to the aerodynamic shape of a projectile, resolving challenges related to size, weight, volume, and electrical properties to realize his idea. His first patent on conformal antennas launched the development of a class of conformal antennas that achieved his vision, and reduced – or eliminated – the problem of drag. Unlike previous antennas, conformal antennas improved electrical performance and reduced weight and cost.
Conformal Antennas
U.S. Patent No. 4,010,470
Mark Dean
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.
Born in Jefferson City, Tennessee, Dean received his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, his master’s in electrical engineering from Florida Atlantic University, and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Early in his career at IBM, Dean was a chief engineer working with IBM personal computers. The IBM PS/2 Models 70 and 80 and the Color Graphics Adapter are among his early work; he holds three of IBM’s original nine PC patents.
Peripherals
U.S. Patent No. 4,528,626
Percy Lavon Julian
Percy Lavon Julian was noted most for his synthesis of cortisone from soybeans, used in treating rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. His synthesis reduced the price of cortisone. He developed a process for isolating and preparing soybean protein, which are used to coat and size paper, create cold water paints, and size textiles. During World War II, Julian used a soy protein to produce “AeroFoam” which suffocates gasoline and oil fires. Julian synthesized physostigmine for the treatment of glaucoma and cortisone for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Preparation of Cortisone
U.S. Patent No. 2,752,339
Victor B. Lawrence
Victor Lawrence work has advanced data encoding and transmission, modem technology, silicon chip design, ATM switching and protocols, DSL, speech and audio coding, and digital video. Lawrence helped turn the Internet into a global industry useful for more than simple text-based functions. He also developed methods of including more information in a signal, facilitating the introduction of digital video and radio, and the development of high-definition and digital television. He streamlined signal travel while using less bandwidth, and his chipsets formed the heart of voice-band modems and DSL technologies which both use telephone lines. Lawrence was lead engineer of AT&T’s 2.4kbps full duplex modem, and his innovations pushed modems to 56kbps. He also improved transmission for the modern Internet, made high-speed connections more available, and stimulated the growth of the global Internet.
Signal Processing in Telecommunications
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,034,197; 4,213,187
James E. West
West, who is a Fellow of IEEE and a recipient of the George R. Stibitz Trophy, is the recipient of over 200 U.S. and foreign patents. James West patented the electret microphone which is widely used because of its high performance, accuracy, and reliability, in addition to its low cost, small size, and light weight. In the electret microphone, thin sheets of polymer electret film are metal-coated on one side to form the membrane of the movable plate capacitor that converts sound to electrical signals with high fidelity. Ninety percent of today’s microphones are electret microphones, and they are used in everyday items such as telephones, sound and music recording equipment, and hearing aids.
Electret Microphone
U.S. Patent No. 3,118,022
W. Lincoln Hawkins
Until the 1940s, a lead-based coating was used to insulate telephone cables. The lead coating was expensive, and it was also too heavy to use in the multi-cable conduits needed to serve millions of people. Plastic coatings were tried, but quickly became brittle and would disintegrate when exposed to the elements. Hawkins found a way to stabilize polyethylene and created a plastic cable insulation that could withstand changes in temperature and other environmental factors. The new coating greatly reduced the costs of building and maintaining modern telephone systems, and the use of lead, an environmental toxin, was eliminated.
Polymer Cable Sheath
U.S. Patent No. 2,967,845
Emmett W. Chappelle
Biochemist Emmett Chappelle discovered that a specific combination of chemicals caused a living organism to produce and emit light. Chappelle’s innovations in harvesting the power of bioluminescence facilitated important findings within the fields of biology and chemistry. Chappelle also advanced the development of laser-induced fluorescence as a means to detect plant stress. This technique allows scientists to determine the health of crops and measure their productivity based on the amount of light they emit. Using this information, farmers and crop specialists can adjust planting, irrigation, and fertilization patterns, greatly improving food production.
Bioluminescence Techniques
U.S. Patent No. 3,423,290
Granville Woods
A prolific inventor, Granville Woods developed the railroad telegraph, a device that transmitted messages, through static electricity, between moving trains. Based on “telegraphony,” Woods invented the induction telegraph in 1887. Prior to its creation, moving trains were unable to communicate with each other or with rail stations, resulting in dangerous situations. The induction telegraph used static electricity from the existing telegraph lines running parallel to the train tracks, making messaging possible between moving trains and rail stations.Woods’ later inventions dealt with more efficient use of electricity. He created an overhead conducting system for rail and trolley cars to run on electric current instead of steam power. In addition, he devised a third rail that is still often used on many rail lines; the third rail carries electricity via electromagnetic switches and pulls trains along. He also improved the automatic air brake used by railroad cars. His patents were eventually bought and used by General Electric and the Westinghouse Air Brake Company.
Railway Telegraphy
U.S. Patent No. 373,383
U.S. Patent 299,894, “Steam Boiler Furnace,” June 3, 1884,
U.S. Patent 315,368, “Apparatus for Transmission of Messages by Electricity,” April 7,
1885
U.S. Patent 509,065, “Electric Railway Conduit,” November 21, 1893,
U.S. Patent 678,086, “Electric Railway System,” July 9, 1901,
U.S. Patent 371,241, “Telephone System and Apparatus,” October 11, 1887,
U.S. Patent 639,692, “Amusement Apparatus,” December 19, 1899,
1up Atlanta Examiner 