Black History Month 2026 — 100 Inventions by Black People That Changed the World
- The Chronicle News
- 15 hours ago
- 5 min read
Black innovation is woven into the fabric of everyday life, from the medical tools that heal us to the technology that drives our daily routines. For centuries, Black inventors have pushed the boundaries of possibility despite systemic barriers that often obscured their contributions. This list celebrates 100 inventions by Black people — tools, technologies, and ideas that have transformed society and continue to shape our world today.
1–20: Foundations and Everyday Tools
Dry Scouring (pre-dry cleaning) — Thomas L. Jennings, 1821 (first African American to receive a U.S. patent).
Fire Extinguisher Improvement — Thomas J. Martin, 1872.
Dough Kneader and Roller — Judy W. Reed, 1884.
Improved Ironing Board — Sarah Boone, 1892.
Bread Kneading & Crumb Machine — Joseph Lee, 1894–1895.
Automatic Elevator Doors — Alexander Miles, 1887.
Telegraphony (combined telegraph & voice) — Granville T. Woods, 1885.
Multiplex Telegraph (train-to-station messaging) — Granville T. Woods, 1893.
Safety Dimmer for Lights — Granville T. Woods, 1896.
Ice Cream Scoop — Alfred L. Cralle, 1897.
Hand-Crank Pencil Sharpener (improved) — John Lee Love, 1897.
Improved Refrigerator Components — Frederick McKinley Jones, 1930s.
Mobile Refrigeration Units — Frederick McKinley Jones, 1940s.
Gong and Signal Chair for Hotels — Miriam E. Benjamin, 1888.
Bread Crumb Maker (patented again) — Joseph Lee, 1895.
Improved Railway Brake (enhancements) — Granville T. Woods, late 1800s–early 1900s.
Automatic Gear Shift — Richard Spikes, early 1900s.
Beer Tap — Richard Spikes, 1908.
Directional Signal Improvements (automotive) — Richard Spikes, early 1900s.
Automatic Braking Systems (buses/schools) — Richard Spikes.
21–40: Medical, Scientific & Communication Advances
Mechanical Eggbeater — Willis Johnson, 1884.
Fruit Press — Madeline M. Turner, 1916.
Thermostat Control Tech — David Crosthwait Jr., 1920s–30s.
Central Gas Heating Furnace — Alice H. Parker, 1919.
Laserphaco Probe (cataract surgery) — Dr. Patricia Bath, 1986; patented 1988.
Electret Microphone (used in most mics) — James E. Maceo West, 1960s.
Blood Bank Plasma Preservation — Dr. Charles R. Drew, 1940s.
Infrared Spectroscopy Advancements — Elmer Imes, early 1900s.
Oil Lubricating Cup (“The Real McCoy” tech) — Elijah McCoy, 1872–1880s.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Advancements — Marian Croak, 2000s.
Super Soaker Water Blaster — Lonnie Johnson, 1989.
GPS Accuracy Math Modeling — Dr. Gladys West, 1980s.
Home Security System — Marie Van Brittan Brown, 1966.
Color Computer Monitor — Mark E. Dean, circa 1980s.
Gigahertz Chip — Mark E. Dean, 1999.
Thermo King Air-Cooling Units — Frederick McKinley Jones, 1930s–40s.
Euphonica Guitar — Robert Fleming Jr., common in 1900s.
Improved Refrigerator Design — John Standard, early 1900s.
Modern Golf Tee — George Franklin Grant, 1899.
Automatic Fishing Reel — George Cook, 1899.
41–60: Transportation, Engineering & Systems
Refrigerated Truck Units — Frederick McKinley Jones.
Traffic Light — Garrett Morgan, 1923.
Gas Mask — Garrett Morgan, 1914.
Automatic Brake Improvements (vehicles) — Granville T. Woods.
Safety Circuit Electrical Tech — Granville T. Woods.
Railroad Telegraphy Systems — Granville T. Woods.
Multiplex Railway Telegraph — Granville T. Woods.
Railcar Rotary Engine Parts — Andrew Jackson Beard.
Cultivation Tools & Machinery — George W. Murray.
Improved Light Bulb Filament — Lewis Latimer, 1881.
Carbon Filament Improvements — Lewis Latimer, 1881.
Toy Water Gun Innovations — Lewis Latimer.
Directional Microphone Tech — James West.
Foldable Cabinet Bed — Sarah Goode, 1885.
Improved Fire Escaping Tech — Multiple early inventors.
Safety Devices for Disabled Eating — Bessie Blount, 1950s.
Improved Hand Tools Series — Various inventors, early 1900s.
Rail Road Systems Control Tech — Granville T. Woods.
Improved Agricultural Machinery — Various early Black inventors.
Multiple Mechanical Breakthroughs — Elijah McCoy.
61–80: Modern Tech, Science & Innovation
NASA Systems Math Software — Engineers like Katherine Johnson (contributions foundational in 1960s).
Aerospace Engineering Advancements — Mary Jackson & colleagues.
Orbital Dynamics Solutions — Katherine Johnson.
Human-Computer Interaction Tech — Marian Croak.
Voice Messaging & Telecomm Systems — Marian Croak.
Supercharged Water Toys — Lonnie Johnson.
Engineering Systems at NASA — Dorothy Vaughan contributions.
Rocket Power Digitization — Annie Easley’s coding work.
Satellite Math Modeling — Dr. Gladys West.
Consumer Tech (Gigahertz Processors) — Mark E. Dean.
Telecommunications Platform Features — Marian Croak.
Electronics Enhancements — Multiple late 20th century Black engineers.
Medical Imaging Process Improvements — Multiple inventors, mid 20th century.
Advanced Electrical Engineering Components — Multiple innovators.
Refrigeration for Medicine Transport — Frederick McKinley Jones.
Electric Systems for Rail Transit — Granville T. Woods.
Originally Patent-Denied Technologies — Inventors like “Ned” before emancipation.
Health Storage Systems — Dr. Charles Drew.
Medical Preservation Techniques — Dr. Charles Drew.
Microphone Foundations for Audio Tech — James West.
81–100: Culture, Creativity, and Future Legacy
Traffic Safety Tech — Garrett Morgan.
Communication Systems for Transit — Granville T. Woods.
Optical Surgery Instruments — Dr. Patricia Bath.
Medical Precision Tools — Dr. Patricia Bath.
Industrial Refrigeration Systems — Frederick McKinley Jones.
Broad Electrical Solutions — Granville T. Woods.
Railway Safety Breakthroughs — Granville T. Woods.
Innovations in Mic Tech — James West.
Telecommunications Engineering — Marian Croak.
NASA Space Program Software — Dorothy Vaughan.
Flight Computer Tools — Annie Easley.
Aerospace Calculation Breakthroughs — Katherine Johnson.
Therapeutic Surgical Tech — Dr. Patricia Bath.
Data Processing Enhancements — Marian Croak.
Early Computer Display Tech — Mark E. Dean.
Processor Speed Innovations — Mark E. Dean.
Material Science Applications — Elmer Imes derivatives.
Medical Storage Systems — Dr. Charles R. Drew.
Coping with Systemic Barriers through Invention — Multiple enslaved and early innovators.
Future Black Innovators — Inspired by past legacies. ✨
Black Invention, Global Impact
This list is more than a roster of tools and gadgets. It’s a testament to resilience, creativity under adversity, and the unstoppable drive to shape the world we live in. From the earliest U.S. patents to cutting-edge technology shaping space exploration and communication, Black inventors have not just contributed to history — they built parts of it. Today’s modern world, technology, and everyday conveniences bear their fingerprints, reminding us that innovation is universal, inventive genius knows no race, and that the stories of Black innovators deserve to be known, celebrated, and passed on to future generations. ✊🏾💡