Inventors

Honoring the innovators who dared to reimagine what's possible

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Authors

Entrepreneurs

Scientists

+ 18 more

Patricia Era Bath

Inventor, Ophthalmologist, Humanitarian at American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness

Achievements

• Invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment, U.S. Patent No. 4,744,360
• First African American female doctor to receive a medical patent

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Otis Frank Boykin

Inventor, Electrical Engineer at Various Electronics Companies

Achievements

• Invented an improved electrical resistor used in computers and pacemakers, U.S. Patent No. 2,972,726
• Developed the control unit for the artificial cardiac pacemaker

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Marie Van Brittan Brown

Inventor, Nurse at Independent Inventor

Achievements

• Invented the first home security system with closed-circuit television, U.S. Patent No. 3,482,037
• Created the foundation for modern video security systems used in homes and businesses worldwide

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Lonnie George Johnson

Inventor, Aerospace Engineer at Johnson Research & Development Co.

Achievements

• Invented the Super Soaker water gun, one of the world's bestselling toys
• Developed the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter (JTEC) for efficient solar energy conversion

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Lewis Howard Latimer

Inventor, Electrical Engineer, Patent Draftsman at Edison Electric Light Company

Achievements

• Invented and patented the carbon filament for light bulbs, U.S. Patent No. 252,386
• Drafted patent drawings for Alexander Graham Bell's telephone

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Garrett Augustus Morgan

Inventor, Businessman at G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company

Achievements

• Invented the three-position traffic signal, U.S. Patent No. 1,475,024
• Created the Morgan safety hood (early gas mask), U.S. Patent No. 1,113,675

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Valerie LaVerne Thomas

Inventor, Physicist, Data Analyst at NASA

Achievements

• Invented the illusion transmitter, a 3D imaging technology, U.S. Patent No. 4,229,761
• Developed Landsat digital image processing systems used by NASA

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Sarah Breedlove Walker

Inventor, Entrepreneur at Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company

Achievements

• Created specialized hair care system for Black women, including the 'Wonderful Hair Grower'
• America's first female self-made millionaire

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George Washington Carver

Inventor, Agricultural Scientist, Educator at Tuskegee Institute

Achievements

• Developed over 300 derivative products from peanuts and 118 from sweet potatoes
• Created crop rotation methods that revolutionized southern agriculture

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Granville Tailer Woods

Inventor, Electrical Engineer at Woods Electric Company

Achievements

• Invented the induction telegraph system for communicating with moving trains, U.S. Patent No. 373,915
• Created the third-rail electrical system used in subway systems worldwide

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