We Did That!
How Black Inventors Changed The World
Celebrating Black History Month
By, Ebonylion
No words can describe the joy in my heart. This month, I found myself falling fast down a rabbit hole of information that only stopped because there are only so many hours in a day. Equally, men and women filled my list of inventors as I scoured the internet looking for the black trailblazers of America. Not only did I find them. I found that my everyday activities have been shaped by their inventions.
Every name that began to compile my list swiftly filled my mind with bewilderment. The genius and achievement that these men and women possessed made me question. One, how did I not know this, being that I am a black woman myself? Who spent years in public education while studying black history month every time it came around, and two, how was I unaware of how these contributions impact my life daily.
The revelation was beyond shocking. I realized that I had only been informed of the basics. I was aware of Philip B. Dowing who patented the first “street letter box” in 1891. Better known as the mailbox and or Sarah Boone, who patented and improved the foldable ironing board in April of 1892.
But that was so long ago. As a Generation Xer myself, I have obviously received mail and can’t imagine leaving the house in wrinkled clothes. I definitely used these inventions as they predated my birth. The rabbit hole of knowledge I recently learned on the subject made me look at my entire existence completely anew
I’ve seen the documentaries about Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, the first man to perform open-heart surgery on a patient who obviously survived. Fantastic documentary by the way, if you haven’t seen it. Or the movie Hidden Figures, which came out, featuring several black women, including the woman called the human computer Katherine Johnson, who, through her complex calculations, helped us go into space and land on the moon!
Get your Ebonylion Record Hoodie 👇🏽
Rather, it was the inventions by black inventors that I actually use every day! Do you have a security system or camera at your house, near your house, across the street, or next door at your neighbor's house? Well, you can thank Marie Van Brittan Brown and her husband for that. She created the first home security system in 1966 due to high crime rates and slow police response times. Her system also featured a motorized camera as well. See what I’m talking about! Who knew?
Get your Ebonylion Record Hoodie 👉🏽
I talk more about this on my radio show, The Lion’s Den with Ebonylion. This Saturday in February for black history month, and every Saturday throughout the year. Visit Thelionsdenradio.com. We will discuss all the contributions that black people have made to America and the way we live today. Join me at noon EST. If you happen to miss the show. Join the Ebonylionmusic.net mailing list, and you’ll receive the show in your inbox after it airs.
Click the link to listen to the show 👇🏽
