“Hidden” Black American History Makers
Black History Month, February 1 – March 1 since 1976, acknowledges the invaluable contributions of Black Americans to the history of the United States.
The title of our article is inspired by the 2016 book and film, Hidden Figures, the untold story of—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—brilliant “human computers” who solved incredibly complex mathematical problems for NASA engineers at the Langley Research Center.
For the first few years, they worked in the all-Black West Area Computing unit, forming the nucleus of one of the greatest operations in history, i.e. launching John Glenn into orbit.
These profiles of 50 Black Inventors…Some Known, Most “Hidden” may be eye-openers, but not unexpectedly so, considering Black American inventors—engineers, entrepreneurs, medical professionals, scientists, et al—-were issued more than 50,000 U.S. patents, 1870 – 1940, according to brookings.edu.
Below, we present five more “hidden” Black-female achievers, four of whom are profiled in the link above, on whose innovations we still rely on today:
- Patricia Bath invented an improved device for laser-cataract surgery.
- Marie Van Brittan Brown co-invented a home-security video system with her husband.
- Sarah Boone obtained a patent for improvements to the ironing board, allowing for better ironing of shirt sleeves.
- Shirley Ann Jackson’s breakthrough research enabled later inventions of the touch-tone phone, caller ID, and call waiting.
- Alice Parker received a patent for a gas furnace.
KRA is pleased to Spotlight! merely a handful of the tens of thousands of Black Americans, whose creativity and ingenuity deserve to have their achievements acknowledged—no longer hidden.
An extremely apt quote from the White House Proclamation on Black History Month 2023 includes, “Black Americans have made a way not only for themselves but also have helped build a highway for millions of women, immigrants, other historically marginalized communities, and all Americans to more fully experience the benefits of our society.”
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
