According to the stereotype, late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century inventors, quintessential loners and supposed geniuses, worked in splendid isolation and then unveiled their discoveries to a marveling world. Most successful inventors of this era, however, developed their ideas within the framework of industrial organizations that supported them and their experiments. For African American inventors, negotiating these racially stratified professional environments meant not only working on innovative designs but also breaking barriers. In this pathbreaking study, Rayvon Fouché examines the life and work of three African Americans: Granville Woods (1856–1910), an independent inventor; Lewis Latimer (1848–1928), a corporate engineer with General Electric; and Shelby Davidson (1868–1930), who worked in the U.S. Treasury Department. Detailing the difficulties and human frailties that make their achievements all the more impressive, Fouché explains how each man used invention for financial gain, as a claim on entering adversarial environments, and as a means to technical stature in a Jim Crow institutional setting. Describing how Woods, Latimer, and Davidson struggled to balance their complicated racial identities—as both black and white communities perceived them—with their hopes of being judged solely on the content of their inventive work, Fouché provides a nuanced view of African American contributions to—and relationships with—technology during a period of rapid industrialization and mounting national attention to the inequities of a separate-but-equal social order.

"In debunking some of the myths, including financial success and race pride, Fouch humanizes them and examines the greater significance of their work in the context of American sociological and commercial history." -- Booklist

In this important study, former United States primary patent examiner Patricia Carter Sluby pays homage to the inventive spirit of African Americans. Beginning with the contributions of enslaved Africans brought to American shores, Sluby introduces inventors and patent holders from all fields up to and including the leading edge of today's technology. Along with such recognizable figures as George Washington Carver and Madam C. J. Walker, readers will discover little-known or forgotten pioneers of devices such as a tobacco substitute, a home security system, and a portable heart monitor. Particular attention is given to the innovations of women inventors and scientists. Products to ease domestic life, promote the efficiency of industrial processes, and improve the safety of leisure activities all bear the hallmarks of these creative minds. Sluby details the plight of inventive slaves during the antebellum and Civil War eras. She juxtaposes their efforts with those of free blacks of the same period. Reconstruction saw significant agricultural and industrial innovations by African Americans, some of which would permanently change American industry. Military inventions during the course and aftermath of both world wars showcase the diversity of minority ideas in an age of rapid technological advances. The closing chapter recounts the ongoing efforts of modern thinkers and their contributions in the high-tech and medical fields at the vanguard of the new century.

Black Inventors Who Changed History 1800s–1900s By: Debra D. Rich African American scholar and historian Lerone Bennett Jr. once said, “If our children are to make history, they must first know their own history.” Deeply inspired by this sentiment, author Debra Rich set out to chronicle the lives of groundbreaking black inventors who have helped shape the world but who receive little credit or fame. With great talent and an unbreakable spirit, these African Americans overcame prejudice, poverty, violence, and hatred to create inventions we still use today. Finally, their stories must be told.

By 1907, Mr. Granville Taylor Woods was the first Black American who was granted 49 patents and was titled the "Black Edison" in news articles from the 1900s. Mr. Woods was a pioneer in power distribution, telegraph communication, and safety for the railway industry. Granville Taylor Woods sold eight patents to the General Electrical Company, Harry Ward Leonard, Westinghouse Air Brake Company, and various individuals or investment partners. The ultimate goal of this book is to provide standard concepts in presenting accurate interpretations of patents granted to Granville Taylor Woods. This book is not intended to dispute, dishonor, or argue for or against a particular accomplishment by Granville Taylor Woods. Rather, the author aims to furnish a concise way to present the material in laymans terms. To put something in laymans terms is to describe a complex or technical issue using words and terms that an average individual may comprehend the basic concept. The material is divided into five (5) sections related to Mr. Woods: Introduction, birthplace of Granville Woods, list of patents, list of patent assignments, and photos with a description of each patent granted to Mr. Woods. The introduction provides the purpose of the book, the authors approach, and fundamental patent terminology. Section two contains the most reliable source of Granville Woods birthplace and his whereabouts as a young adult and teenager. This source of information is extracted through the United States Federal Census that is closest to Mr. Woods birth. Section three is concentrated on a brief explanation that verifies the number of patents granted to Granville Taylor Woods in addition to patents he assigned to individuals, partners, or companies. Section four is centered on patent assignments by Granville Taylor Woods since the majority of patents were assigned to individuals, partners, or companies. Section five is the focal point of this book because the original images of Mr. Woods patent drawings will be displayed, both front and back. This is the most exciting part of the book!

It began one quiet autumn evening during November of 1996. At home, David Head was viewing the PBS documentary Transportation in America and he noticed the film made no mention of African American contributions. But as chairman of the Black History Committee for Transport Workers Union Local 100, he knew there was much to share. At that moment Head determined his new purpose in life would be to share the extraordinary life and legacy of Granville T. Woods. After twelve years in pursuit of this goal, David Head has accomplished a great deal for his cause: - Metropolitan Transportation Authority Sponsorship of 2004 Subway Centennial Granville T. Woods Commemorative Exhibit - 4 million Granville T. Woods Commemorative Metro Cards (2 million in Spanish) - 2009: Brooklyn Street renamed "Granville T. Woods Way" - 2009: Figure 8, the world's first electric roller coaster created by Woods was inducted into the Coney Island Hall of Fame - 2010: Transit News Telly Award for GTW documentary - 2012: Granville T. Woods: African American Communication and Transportation Pioneer, an illustrated book for young readers, highlighting Woods' struggles and achievements, was published With his many successes, and realizing the impact he could have on others, Head decided to pursue his goals within an educational framework as well by: - Showcasing Woods' inspirational life and amazing innovative abilities - Revealing the purpose behind teaching the life and accomplishments of Woods, and his significant contributions to our American Society - Encouraging youth to cultivate their own talents, to stay in school and seek higher education, to discern their abilities and pursue them as Woods did In the spirit of Granville T. Woods and his life of invention, Head is now spearheading a major effort to increase the participation of urban youth in the fields of science and technology. By integrating field trips and practical experience with his S.T.E.M. program classroom curriculum, youth will be motivated and guided in an innovative approach to comtemporary challenges. With this goal in mind, careers in science and technology will be encouraged and given direction.

Incredible stories of Black men who changed the course of science—for kids ages 8 to 12 All throughout history, Black men have made important contributions to scientific discovery. This collection of biographies for kids explores 15 of these intelligent men and the extraordinary scientific accomplishments they achieved—even when they faced huge challenges. You'll learn how they stood up against racism and inequality, and never stopped following their passions for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Meet talented Black men in history who have helped: Explore our world—Discover inventors like Lewis Howard Latimer and biologists like George Washington Carver, and find out how they expanded our understanding of the world around us. Advance medicine—Learn the stories of doctors like James McCune Smith and Leonidas Berry who helped stop the spread of disease and change the way we perform surgery. Change the game—Find out how people like geneticist Rick Kittles and engineer Roy L. Clay Sr. are still doing important research and breaking barriers. Dive into a world of inspiring men with this scientific entry into Black history books for kids.