Ideas & Inventions

Inventors and Their

Inventions

George Washington Carver (1864-1943)At a time when the South's major crop-cotton-was faced with total destruction by the boll weevel beetle, Dr. Carver, through scientific experiments showed the South that peanuts, soybeans and sweet potatoes (yams), among other crops, should be planted, along with cotton. Dr. carver developed hundreds of products from the peanut, the soybean, the pecan nut, the sweet potato, and even the weeds.

MADAME C.J. WALKER (1869-1919)Sarah Breedlove Walker, who was known as Madame C.J. Walker, became one of the first American women of any race to become a millionaire through her own efforts. Madame Walker invented a hair softener and a special hair-straightening comb. Before her death in 1919, Madame Walker could count over 2,000 agents who sold her ever-growing line of Walker products and demonstrated the "Walker System" of treating hair. Her efforts laid the foundation for the cosmetics industry among African Americans.

Marie Curie (1863-1934)She was the first female recipient of a Nobel Prize, for the discovery of radioactive elements and the first person to win two Nobel prizes. She opened up the science of radioactivity. For scientists and the public, her radium was a key to a basic change in our understanding of matter and energy. Her work not only influenced the development of fundamental science but also ushered in a new era in medical research and treatment.

Samuel B. Morse (1791-1872) and Alfred Vail (1807-1859)They invented and improved upon the telegraph key. Morse was not a scientist - he was a professional artist. It was on trip that he overheard a shipboard discussion on electromagnets. This was the seed out of which the electric telegraph grew.

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)Invented the telephone while trying to improve the hearing aid and telegraph. He wanted to improve the hearing aid to help his mother, who was deaf.

Thomas Edison (1847-1951)Invented the light bulb, phonograph, kinetoscope. He also invented paraffin paper (which was first used for wrapping candies) and the electric pen. Edison was awarded 1,368 separate and distinct patents during his lifetime

Lewis H. Latimer (1848-1928)Son of a runaway slave, he became an electrical engineer who worked for Thomas A. Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. Many of Latimer's ideas, including the fine carbon wire which lights up, went into Edison's light bulb. Latimer was the only African American, and one of the original 28 persons who formed the "Edison Pioneers," a group dedicated to keeping alive Edison's ideals. Latimer was also a noted patent expert, draftsman, author, poet and musician.

Sarah E. GoodeShe was a business woman and inventor. Goode invented the folding cabinet bed, a space-saver that folded up against the wall into a cabinet. When folded up, it could be used as a desk, complete with compartments for stationery and writing supplies.

Marion Donovan (1917-1998)She helped revolutionize the infant care industry by inventing the prototype of the disposable diaper. She sold her disposable diaper invention for about $1 million "in order to devote more time to developing other inventions.

Ada Augusta Lovelace (1815-1882) She laid some of the early conceptual and technical groundwork for high technology by helping develop an early computer. In 1842 Lady Ada Augusta Lovelace corrected errors in Babbage’s analytic engine. She was the daughter of Lord Byron, a famed poet.

Charles W. Buggs (1906-1991)A scientist and educator, Dr. Charles Buggs conducted special research on why some bacteria (germs) do not react to certain medicines. In several articles, he presented his ideas on penicillin and skin grafting, and the value of chemicals in treating bone fractures. Dr. Buggs' research and teaching contributed to a better understanding of health and of the human body.

George CrumHe invented the potato chip in 1853. He was a Native American/African American chef at the Moon Lake Lodge resort in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA.

Ruth Handler (1916-2002) Undeniably invented an American icon, the Barbie doll. It was marketed by her husband’s company, Mattel.

Lonnie G. Johnson (1949- )Invented the Supersoaker, world-famous watergun.

Dr. Robert K. JarvikInvented the first artificial heart. In his teen years, he invented an automatic surgical stapler and designed several surgical tools.

Dr. Patricia E. Bath (1949- )Invented a method of eye surgery that has helped many blind people see.