Black Inventors

Jan Ernst Matzeliger: The man who revolutionised shoemaking

Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852–1889) was an influential inventor best known for revolutionising the shoe industry with his invention of the shoe-lasting machine. This machine significantly improved the …

Eight Black inventors you should know about

‍Let’s celebrate the excellence of black inventors who have made groundbreaking innovations in various fields. From Henry Boyd, who invented the Boyd Bedstead, to George Washington Carver, who …

Madam C J Walker

Madam C J Walker was an entrepreneur best known for inventing Black haircare products. She was a political social activist, philanthropist and the first female self-made millionaire. Early …

George Washington Carver: Agricultural scientist and inventor

‍George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist and inventor who developed hundreds of products using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans, substantially improving the agricultural economy of …

Norbert Rillieux – Inventor

1806-1894 – Nobert Rillieux is famous for revolutionising the sugar industry. Norbert Rillieux was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 17 March 1806. His parents were Vincent Rillieux, a white …

Thomas Jennings – Inventor

Thomas Jennings (1791-1859) Thomas Jennings was born free in New York City in 1791. In his early 20s, he became a tailor but then opened a dry-cleaning business in New York. Thomas went on to …

George Crum

The potato chip (aka crisps) was invented in 1853 by George Crum. The son of an African-American father and a Native American mother, Crum was a chef at the Moon Lake Lodge resort in …

Granville T Woods “The Black Edison”

Many professionals in the electrical industry knew Granville T Woods as the “Black Edison”. Woods was considered by many to be the greatest electrician in the world. The most well-known of …

Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, Canada, on 2 May 1844. His parents were George and Emillia McCoy, former slaves from Kentucky who escaped through the Underground Railroad. George joined …

Henry Boyd – Black inventor

Henry Boyd was a skilled carpenter, born into slavery in Kentucky on 12 April 1802. At a young age, his master apprenticed Henry out to a cabinetmaker. Henry proved to have an impressive talent for …

Lewis Latimer – Inventor

Lewis Latimer is regarded as one of the ten most significant Black inventors of all time, not just for his many inventions but also for his most famous discovery. Latimer was born on 4 September …

Garret Morgan – Inventor of the traffic light and gas mask

Garrett Morgan possessed a rare gift of creativity that allowed him to produce outstanding inventions which have a tremendous impact on society. Garrett Morgan was born on 4 March in Paris, …