Human history is rich in inventions that have changed the way we live, work and interact. However, the contributions of Black inventors have often been downplayed, even ignored, in dominant historical narratives. Yet for centuries, Black inventors have made major innovations in diverse fields such as technology, medicine, science, music and the arts.
In this article, we have compiled a list of 100 Black inventorswho have marked history with their achievements and important contributions to society. In doing so, we hope to highlight the importance of these often overlooked Black inventors, while celebrating their creativity, ingenuity and determination.
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806)
Astronomer, mathematician and inventor, he created a wooden clock that worked with precision.
Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975)
Chemist and inventor, he discovered methods of synthesizing drugs for the treatment of glaucoma and arthritis.
Otis Boykin (1920-1982)
Engineer and inventor, he created electrical resistors that were used in radios, televisions and computers.
Mark Dean (born 1957)
Computer engineer and inventor, he contributed to the development of the personal computer and local network technology.
George Washington Carver (1860-1943)
Scientist and inventor, he discovered many uses for peanuts, including peanut butter.
Lewis Temple (1800-1854)
Inventor, he created the Temple anchor, which became a standard for fishing boats.
Elijah McCoy (1844-1929)
Engineer and inventor, he created automatic lubrication for steam engines.
Sarah E. Goode (1850-1905)
Inventor and entrepreneur, she invented the folding bed to save space in small apartments.
Lonnie G. Johnson (b. 1949)
Engineer and inventor, he created the Super Soaker, a popular summer toy.
George Alcorn (born 1940)
Physicist and inventor, he contributed to the development of X-ray telescope technology.
Meredith Gourdine (1929-1998)
Engineer and inventor, he created the electric gas propulsion system used in aerospace.
Marie Van Brittan Brown (1922-1999)
Inventor and entrepreneur, she invented the first video surveillance system for home security.
Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852-1889)
Engineer and inventor, he created the shoe machine, which revolutionized the shoe industry.
David Nelson Crosthwait Jr (1898-1976)
Engineer and inventor, he contributed to the development of central air conditioning technology.
Charles Richard Drew (1904-1950)
Physician and inventor, he developed a method of storing blood for blood transfusions.
Nathaniel Alexander (1808-1848)
Inventor, he created the cotton gin, which revolutionized the textile industry.
Charles Brooks (1918-1977)
Inventor and entrepreneur, he created the modern sports shoe.
Edward Bouchet (1852-1918)
Physicist and inventor, he was the first African-American to earn a doctorate in physics.
Dr. Gladys West (born 1930)
Mathematician and engineer, she contributed to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Valerie Thomas (born 1943)
An engineer and inventor, she created the system for transmitting images using fiber-optic technology.
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson (born 1946)
Physicist and inventor, she developed technologies for telecommunications, including cell phones and satellites.
Dr. Mae Jemison (born 1956)
Astronaut, engineer and inventor, she was the first black woman in space.
James E. West (born 1931)
Engineer and inventor, he created the electrostatic microphone, used in cell phones and hearing aids.
Patricia Bath (1942-2019)
Ophthalmologist and inventor, she created the Laserphaco Probe, an instrument for the treatment of cataracts.
Dr. Lonnie Johnson (born 1949)
Engineer and inventor, he created the Super Soaker, a popular summer toy.
Philip Emeagwali (born 1954)
Computer scientist and inventor, he developed methods for speeding up computer calculations.
Marie Van Brittan Brown (1922-1999)
Inventor and entrepreneur, she invented the first video surveillance system for home security.
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806)
Watchmaker, mathematician and inventor, he built accurate clocks and helped design the city of Washington, D.C.
George Edward Alcorn Jr. (b. 1940)
Physicist and inventor, he contributed to the development of X-ray telescope technology.
Granville T. Woods (1856-1910)
Engineer and inventor, he created improvements for railroad systems, including air brakes.
Dr. Patricia Era Bath (1942-2019)
Ophthalmologist and inventor, she created the Laserphaco Probe, an instrument for the treatment of cataracts.
Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975)
Percy Lavon Julian was an American chemist and scientist who played a key role in the synthesis of cortisone and other medicinal compounds from plant raw materials.
Mark E. Dean (born 1957)
Engineer and computer scientist, he contributed to the design of the IBM PC personal computer and was one of the inventors of the motherboard.
Otis Boykin (1920-1982)
Engineer and inventor, he created electrical resistors for electronic devices.
David Crosthwait Jr. (1898-1976)
Engineer and inventor, he created central heating systems and air-conditioning technologies for buildings.
George Crum (1822-1914)
Cook and inventor, he created potato chips.
Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852-1889)
Engineer and inventor, he created a machine that revolutionized shoe production.
Henry Blair (1807-1860)
Inventor and farmer, he created two important inventions for agriculture: a corn planter and a tool for harvesting cotton.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner (1912-2006)
Inventor, she created a disposable tampon and a belt to hold sanitary pads in place.
Elijah Saunders (1934-2015)
Cardiologist and inventor, he created a device to monitor patients’ blood pressure remotely.
Meredith C. Gourdine (1929-1998)
Engineer and inventor, he created technologies for telecommunications and aeronautical equipment.
Lewis Howard Latimer (1848-1928)
Engineer and inventor, he helped develop the technique for manufacturing the electric light bulb and was a pioneer in the electricity industry.
William Purvis (1856-1902)
Inventor and clockmaker, he created a printing typewriter for the blind.
Benjamin Thornton (1820-1906)
Inventor and carpenter, he created a disc plow for farms.
Marie Maynard Daly (1921-2003)
Biochemist and researcher, she discovered how arteries transport blood and contributed to research into heart disease.
Vivienne Malone-Mayes (1932-1995)
Mathematician and teacher, she was one of the first black women to earn a doctorate in mathematics.
George Washington Carver (1864-1943)
Scientist and agronomist, he developed hundreds of uses for peanut products, as well as methods for improving soil quality.
Percy Julian (1899-1975)
Chemist and scientist, he synthesized drugs to treat illnesses such as schizophrenia, arthritis and glaucoma.
Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931)
Surgeon and founder of Provident Hospital in Chicago, he performed the first successful heart operation in the United States.
John Henry Thompson (1848-1906)
Inventor and industrialist, he created a revolutionary weaving machine that improved the efficiency of textile production.
Frederick McKinley Jones (1893-1961)
Engineer and inventor, he created a variety of refrigeration-related inventions, including a refrigeration system for food trucks.
James Edward Maceo West (b. 1931)
Physicist and inventor, he helped create the electret microphone, now widely used in cell phones, computers and other electronic devices.
Lisa Gelobter (born 1971)
Programmer and entrepreneur, she has worked on the creation of multimedia technologies and online videos, notably for MTV and Hulu.
Ayanna Howard (born 1972)
Engineer and roboticist, she has developed robots capable of interacting with autistic children and worked on other technologies linked to robotics and artificial intelligence.
Henry Sampson (born 1934)
Engineer and inventor, he created a device for storing and broadcasting audio and video signals for television.
Phil Brooks (1920-1993)
Engineer and inventor, he created a propulsion system for boats using sound waves.
Patricia Bath (1942-2019)
Ophthalmologist and inventor, she created a device to dissolve cataracts, which has improved the quality of life for millions of people.
Imhotep (2667-2648 BC)
Egyptian architect, physician and engineer, he is considered one of the first geniuses in human history, having designed several important buildings and developed advanced construction and medical techniques for his time.
John P. Moon (1936-2013)
Engineer and inventor, he created a cooling system for missiles and satellites.
Lonnie Johnson (born 1949)
Engineer and inventor, he created the Super Soaker, a popular water toy.
As we go through the stories of the 100 black inventors who have made history, it’s clear that their achievements have had a significant impact on society and helped shape the world we live in today. These inventors had to overcome obstacles such as racial discrimination and marginalization to advance their work and realize their dreams. Their contributions paved the way for many others to follow in their footsteps and make remarkable advances in various fields.
By recognizing the importance of these black inventors and honoring their achievements, we can continue to inspire and encourage the next generation of inventors to innovate, create and advance the world we live in.
Also read our article: Michelle Obama: An inspiring icon for black girls around the world
