Famous African American Women Inventors

Science is generally viewed as a men's world.Benjamin's invention was adapted and used in the
Females are rarely found tinkering around theUnited States House of Representatives.
laboratory or handling mechanical devices, much lessOn April 26, 1892, Sarah Boone's received a patent
inventing one and having it patented under their name.(U.S. Patent #473,653) for an improvement to the
Patents are the proof of "ownership" of an inventionironing board. Sarah Boone's ironing board was
and only the inventor(s) can apply for a patent. In thedesigned to be effective in ironing the sleeves and
past, women were not allowed equal rights ofbodies of ladies' garments. Sarah Boone's board was
property ownership (patents are a form of intellectualvery narrow and curved, the size and fit of a sleeve,
property) and many women patented their inventionsand it was reversible, making it easy to iron both sides
under their husband's or father's names. In the past,of a sleeve.
women were also prevented from receiving the higherPerhaps the most famous African American woman
education necessary for inventing. Today, however,inventor of all time is Madame C. J. Walker (December
hundreds of thousands of women apply for and23, 1867 - May 25, 1919). She was an inventor,
receive a patent every year. About 20% of allbusinesswoman and self-made millionaire. Born Sarah
inventors are currently female and that number shouldBreedlove McWilliams C. J. Walker, she was an
quickly rise to 50% over the next generation.African-American who developed many beauty and
Among these women inventors from the past to thehair care products that were extremely popular.
present, there are African American women inventors.Madame Walker started her cosmetics business in
Their number, however, can not be exactly1905. Her first product was a scalp treatment that
determined. According to EnchantedLearning.com,used petroleum and a hot comb. Sarah later invented
Sarah S. Goode was the first African Americana system for straightening hair. She added Madame to
woman to have received a patent in 1885 (patenther name and began selling her new "Walker System"
#322,177, approved on July 14, 1885). She invented thedoor-to-door. Walker soon added a hair-growing
folding cabinet bed, a space-saver that folded upointment and other cosmetic products to her line. The
against the wall into a cabinet. When folded up, it couldproducts were very successful and she soon had
be used as a desk, complete with compartments formany saleswomen, called "Walker Agents," who sold
stationery and writing supplies. Goode owned aher products door to door.
furniture store in Chicago, Illinois, and invented the bedMany of these women grew up in a time when
for people living in small apartments.females and colored people were discriminated
The second African American woman to receive aagainst. Their social status may have prevented them
patent was Miriam Benjamin who was a Washingtonfrom getting an education but this did not stop them
D.C. school teacher. She received a patent in July 17,from exploring their world and finding ingenious
1888 for an invention she called a "Gong and Signalsolutions to everyday problems. Their innate intelligence
Chair for Hotels". Her invention allowed hoteland determination had brought them their personal
customers to summon a waiter from the comfort oftriumph over adversity. Their inventions may not have
their chair. A button on the chair would buzz thesurvived into the 21st century and yet their pioneering
waiters' station and a light on the chair would let thespirit will live on in the present generation of women
wait staff know who wanted service. Miriamworking in the fields of science and technology.