Honoring Black History Month: Celebrating the Innovations of Black Inventors

By Jody Bell

In our generation, when we think of entrepreneurship many of us immediately think of Elon Musk or Steve Jobs - the creators of Tesla and Apple. We often think of breakthrough technology that revolutionizes pre-existing industries, and the techie-gurus behind them. 

We rarely think about the creators of simple everyday products - such as the traffic light or home security system. Yet, these seemingly simple products have stood the test of time, and the inventors of them not only made timeless products, but also did so as discriminated upon individuals breaking barriers as some of the first Black entrepreneurs in America. 

February is Black History Month, and here at Girls With Impact we want to highlight the achievements and contributions of Black investors throughout history. Here are 4 Black inventors that were able to overcome the heavily discriminatory environment and make timeless products that revolutionized society while paving the path for future Black inventors. 

1. The Traffic Light: Garrett Morgan

Garrett Morgan was a remarkable inventor and entrepreneur who made many significant contributions to society, but perhaps his most famous invention was the traffic light.

In the early 20th century, the rise of automobiles created a new kind of transportation problem; roads were becoming increasingly crowded, and accidents were becoming more frequent. 

Morgan observed that the current traffic signals, which used only a "stop" and "go" light, were confusing to drivers and could lead to accidents. He wanted to create a signal that would be more intuitive and easy to understand.

After much experimentation, Morgan developed the first automatic traffic signal in 1923, which used a third light - the yellow caution light - to signal drivers to slow down before the red light turned on. The invention was a huge success and was quickly adopted by cities across the country, making driving safer and more effective almost immediately.  

But Morgan's contributions didn't end with the traffic light. He was also the inventor of the first gas mask, which he created in response to a deadly gas leak in a tunnel under Lake Erie. He even used his own invention to rescue several workers who were trapped in the tunnel, earning him national recognition and praise.

Garrett Morgan's ingenuity and creativity helped to shape the modern world we live in today. His inventions were born out of a desire to solve real-world problems and make a difference in people's lives. 

2. The Home Security System: Marie Brown

Marie Van Brittan Brown was an African American inventor, entrepreneur, and pioneer in the field of home security systems. Born in Queens, New York, in 1922, Brown grew up in a neighborhood where crime was rampant and the police were often slow to respond to emergencies.

As a result of these challenges, Brown became determined to find a way to protect her family and her community. She worked as a nurse and was often home alone at night, so she began to experiment with different security measures to make herself feel safer.

Brown's breakthrough came in 1966, when she and her husband Albert Brown received a patent for the first closed-circuit television system (CCTV) for home security. Their invention consisted of a series of peepholes, a camera, and a two-way microphone that allowed residents to see and speak to visitors without opening their doors. The system also had a button that could be pressed to alert the police in case of an emergency.

Despite her achievements, Brown faced significant racism and discrimination throughout her life. She was often denied opportunities because of her race and gender and was even questioned by police officers who were suspicious of her invention. However, she refused to let these obstacles hold her back and continued to innovate and create.

Today, the home security system is an essential part of modern life, and Marie Brown's pioneering work has played a major role in making that possible. Her legacy lives on, not only through the safety her product provides, but by inspiring other young Black women to continue tinkering with gadgets persevering past obstacles to revolutionize our world with innovative ideas. 

3. The Blood Bank Refrigerator: Charles R. Drew

Charles R. Drew was a brilliant physician, surgeon, and medical researcher whose groundbreaking work revolutionized the field of blood transfusions.

In the early 20th century, blood transfusions were still in their infancy and many lives were lost due to lack of blood supply or inadequate storage methods. Drew recognized the need for a more efficient and effective way of storing and transporting blood, which led him to invent the blood bank refrigerator.

Drew's invention was a breakthrough in medical science, and it allowed for the first time the mass storage of blood for use in transfusions. The refrigerator maintained a consistent temperature that kept the blood from spoiling, which made it possible to transport blood over long distances without it becoming contaminated.

As a result of his invention, Drew was appointed as the director of the first American Red Cross blood bank. During World War II, he helped to establish blood donor centers in Europe and North Africa, and his work led to the saving of thousands of lives.

Drew faced significant racial discrimination during his lifetime. He was forced to resign from his position at the Red Cross due to his race, and he was denied admission to medical schools that had quotas for Black students.

Nevertheless, Drew's legacy lives on as a pioneer in blood transfusion science and a champion for equal access to medical care for all people. His contributions to the field of medicine have helped to save countless lives, and his story is a testament to the power of determination and perseverance in the face of adversity.

4. The Hot Comb: Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist who overcame tremendous obstacles to become one of the most successful businesswomen in American history.

Born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, in Delta, Louisiana, she was the first child in her family to be born into freedom following the Emancipation Proclamation. However, despite being born a free person, she faced systemic racism and discrimination throughout her life.

Walker's early life was marked by hardship and struggle. After her parents died when she was just seven years old, she moved in with her sister and brother-in-law in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She was forced to start working as a washerwoman to support herself and her daughter. She later married Moses McWilliams, but he died when she was just 20 years old, leaving her with a young daughter to raise alone.

Despite these setbacks, Walker was determined to create a better life for herself and her daughter. She began to experiment with different hair care products and eventually developed her own formula for a hair growth and scalp conditioning treatment. She called it "Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower," and it quickly became a hit with Black women who were struggling with hair loss and scalp problems.

Walker's business took off, and she eventually became one of the wealthiest women in the country. However, she faced constant racism and discrimination from white business owners and consumers who refused to do business with her simply because she was Black. She was also subjected to constant scrutiny and criticism from within the Black community, with some accusing her of trying to "whiten" herself and others accusing her of exploiting Black women for profit.

Despite these challenges, Walker remained committed to her mission of empowering Black women and fighting against racial injustice. She used her wealth to fund numerous philanthropic and educational initiatives, including scholarships for Black students, donations to Black churches and organizations, and support for the NAACP and other civil rights groups.

In 1917, Walker moved her business headquarters to Indianapolis and built a factory, hair salon, and training school for her employees. She also founded the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culturists Union, which provided training and support for Black women who wanted to start their own businesses in the hair care industry.

Sadly, Walker passed away in 1919 at the age of 51 due to complications from hypertension. However, her legacy lives on as a pioneering entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist who defied the odds and inspired generations of Black women to pursue their dreams and fight for justice.

In conclusion, Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the Black community, while recognizing they had to overcome obstacles not faced by white inventors and entrepreneurs.  The innovations of Black inventors have had a lasting impact on our world, and their legacy serves as an inspiration as to what could be overcome, while reminding us how far we must go to have true equality. Whether you’re interested in science, technology, or the arts, there is no shortage of inspiring examples of Black excellence to honor and celebrate.

Jody Bell, 21 is Girls With Impact’s Editor in Chief and a program graduate from Greenwich High School. Girls With Impact is the nation’s only online, business and leadership program for girls 14-24, turning them into tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.