February is Black History Month! In the past few years, I’ve taken a much deeper interest African-American culture, history, and heritage. Why you may ask? That’s a totally fair question, and here’s the answer:
In December of 2005, I officially became an adoptive Dad. My wife and I had fostered a little boy that once we adopted, we named “Eban.” My son is biracial…part African-American, part Caucasion. I love him with all that I have, as does my wife. My wife and I are both white. We’ve committed to making sure that our son understands and appreciates all of his heritage, not just the specific white heritage we ourselves are familiar with. As a result, I’ve taken a much deeper level of interest in African-American heritage, successes, and accomplishments. Should I have before? Yes, I will readily admit that. But now it hits a bit closer to home, if you know what I mean. In light of that, I’d like to share the successes of 10 African-American inventors/trailblazers.
1) Elijah McCoy: He invented the oil-dripping cup for trains. Others tried to mimic his invention, but were often disappointed. They then demanded “the real McCoy.”
2) Lewis Latimer: Lewis created a critical part of the light bulb called the “carbon filament.” He also worked in the labs of both Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell.
3) Jan Ernst Matzeliger designed a shoemaking machine that increased shoemaking speed by 900%!
4) Granville T. Woods invented a train-to-station communication system…and had left school at age 10 to help support his family.
5) One of my personal heroes: George Washing Carver. Carver is the one that invented that wonderful food known as Peanut Butter! He also created around 400 other plant products.
6) Madam C. J. Walker invented a hair-growing lotion. She also happened to become the first female African- American millionaire.
7) Garrett Morgan (1877-1963) invented the gas mask. Morgan also invented the first traffic signal.
8) Otis Boykin who lived between 1920 and 1982, invented the electronic control devices for guided missles, IBM computers, and the pacemaker.
9) Dr. Patricia E. Bath, born in 1949, invented a method of eye surgery that has allowed many formerly blind people…to see. She has been nominated to the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
10) And finally…Barak Hussein Obama. Mr. Obama is the first African American (biracial like my son) to be elected President of the United States of America!
Thank you to http://www.teacher.scholastic.com for providing these fascinating facts about African-American inventors and trailblazers!
