• Categories Inventors
  • Post date April 21, 2023

Black Women Inventors

Black women have made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) throughout history. However, their accomplishments often go unrecognized and overlooked due to systemic racism and sexism. It’s time to shed light on some of the remarkable inventions Black women have created that have changed the course of history. From life-saving medical tools to everyday household items, the world would not be the same without these brilliant minds. Let’s celebrate and honor the innovative spirit of Black women inventors.

Madam C.J. Walker – Hair Care Products

Madam C.J. Walker was born to former slaves in Louisiana in 1867. She established a line of hair care products in the early 1900s, focusing on Black women’s hair, which was previously ignored by mainstream marketers. One of her most popular products was a method for straightening curly hair, made by combining various chemicals. She went on to create a beauty school to train and empower Black women to take care of their hair and start their own hair care businesses.

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson – Caller ID and Call Waiting

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, an accomplished physicist and Howard University professor, is perhaps best known for her contributions to inventing Caller ID and Call Waiting. She conducted research in atomic and molecular physics, leading to numerous breakthroughs, including the development of fiber optic cables for telecommunications. In addition to her work as an inventor, she served as the chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Marie Van Brittan Brown – Home Security Systems

In the 1960s, living in Queens, New York, Marie Van Brittan Brown saw a need for a home security system that linked a camera to a monitor, allowing the homeowner to see who was at their door without opening it. She invented a closed-circuit television system with four peepholes in the door that was connected to a monitor located inside the home. Additionally, she created a system to use a remote control to unlock a door from a distance. Her invention was granted US Patent #3,482,037 in 1969 and became the blueprint for the modern home security system.

Patricia Bath – Laserphaco Probe

Dr. Patricia Bath, an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) and inventor, made history by obtaining a patent for the Laserphaco Probe in 1988. The Laserphaco Probe is a medical device that merges the use of a laser with a surgical tool for removing cataracts from the human eye. At the time of her patent, she was the first African American woman to receive a medical patent. Dr. Bath believed that people from underserved communities were not receiving adequate medical care and advocated for issues surrounding health disparities.

Ernestine Lawrence – Aerodynamics Contributions

Ernestine Lawrence was an American aerospace engineer, who began working at a consulting firm in the 1940s. She made significant contributions to aerodynamics, the study of how objects move through the air. Her innovations in wind tunnels — devices used to test experiments with objects and liquids like air –suited her with varying accolades in the field of engineering. Her biggest contribution was using existing technologies powered by electricity to make more precise wind tunnels by weaving delicate wires into the material that measured measurements — thus, creating a far more advanced form of the (until then) primitive tools. Overall, Lawrence revolutionized the way researchers test objects against different principles of aerodynamics.

Black women inventors’ contributions have impacted society in significant ways that have gone unacknowledged for far too long. These accomplished inventors serve as an inspiration for future generations, as they show what can be achieved when passion, persistence, and intelligence unite.