As the celebration of Black History Month is coming to a close, we wanted to place the spotlight on three contemporary African American inventors whose inventions have left their mark on society.

While we already featured famous historic African American inventors in our first installment, today we’re focusing on Lonnie G. Johnson, Dr. Patricia Bath and “King of Pop” Michael Jackson.

Let’s get started.

Lonnie G. Johnson

Every kid can thank Lonnie G. Johnson for maximizing their fun during a summer water fight. This former Senior Systems Engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who worked on the Galileo Mission to Jupiter, might be best known for his popular invention, the Super Soaker squirt gun – the most coveted piece of water-fight equipment. In just two years after being invented, it’s reported that Johnson’s money-making machine soaked in more than $200 million in sales! But, besides his success on the market, Johnson also holds more than 80 patents with over 20 additional pending patents.

Dr. Patricia Bath

As an internationally-recognized ophthalmologist and surgeon, Dr. Patricia Bath can be credited for her invention of the laser-powered Laserphaco Probe. This invention has given physicians the ability to vaporize cataracts in the matter of minutes. Additionally, Dr. Bath has committed her life’s work to find solutions to the ongoing problem of blindness in African Americans. Thanks to Dr. Bath’s invention, people can see clearly now!

Michael Jackson

Speaking of clearly seeing the man in mirror, we can thank the “King of Pop” for inventing some of the catchiest songs, but we can also thank him for his invention of the Anti-Gravity Shoe. In 1993, Jackson received a patent for this invention that would create an anti-gravity illusion. The invention helped the person wearing the shoes to lean forward beyond the center of gravity by way of a specially-designed heel slot. This slot was attached to the stage by a nail or a post. The person wearing the shoe would slide their foot forward and engage with the post to perform gravity-defying leans.

Check them out!

Though Black History Month is quickly coming to a close, we can thank these three contemporary African American inventors for their innovative contributions to society!

Copyright Davison, 2016

Source:

http://madamenoire.com/106958/contemporary-african-americans-inventors/

Images:

https://blackhistory_pvg.s3.amazonaws.com/lonnie-g-johnson/5146423977_f262630274.jpg

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/inventors/images/bath.jpg

http://www.everythingaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Smooth-Criminal-michael-jackson-7446671-2200-1487.jpg

http://d39ya49a1fwv14.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/michael-jackson-double-10.jpg

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At Davison, idea people are at the forefront of our success. As we celebrate Black History Month, we commemorate three African American inventors who changed history. Without their inventions, our lives would be drastically different today. Learn about the fascinating lives and inventions of these idea people!

George Washington Carver

Best known for his idea that revolutionized agriculture in the south, George Washington Carver ultimately transformed the economy. In the late 1800s, this botany student at the Iowa Agricultural College was recruited by Booker T. Washington to join the Tuskegee Institute’s Agricultural School, where Carver would discover and share his new agricultural technique.

Carver found that growing cotton year after year exhausted soil of its nutrients. To end this vicious cycle, Carver planted cotton one year and soil-enriching peanuts or sweet potatoes the next. Southern farmers gave his method a chance and reaped the benefits. Because of Carver’s innovative method, the soil was of better quality and the farmers were able to feed their livestock with the surplus of peanuts.

Carver also famously developed more than 300 ways to use peanuts, some of which were cooking oil, hand lotion and even ink!

Madam C.J. Walker

It was hair loss that inspired this innovative inventor to find a better way. Madam Walker’s story dates back to the 1890s when she began suffering from hair loss, a very common occurrence at this time in history. To find a solution to this ongoing problem, Madam Walker began conducting her own experiments and after some time, she created her formula that she dubbed, “Madam C.J. Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower.” Once her invention was completed, she hit the road and made her rounds throughout the country spreading the word about her hair care tips and products for African American women. It was her knowledge, determination and self-promotional expertise that made Madam Walker one of the first self-made female millionaires in America!

Lewis Howard Latimer

Latimer is best known for his lightbulb moment that occurred when he worked with famous inventor Hiram Maxim at the U.S. Electric Lighting Company. In 1881, Latimer received a patent for a carbon filament for the incandescent lightbulb. It was this invention that shed light on a better way to make electric lighting not only more practical, but also affordable for the average household as well!

Now, these were three historic African American inventors. Check back in the coming weeks when we spotlight contemporary inventors!

Copyright Davison, 2016

Sources:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/inventors/index.htm

Images:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/George_Washington_Carver-crop.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Madame_CJ_Walker.gif

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Lewis_latimer.jpg

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