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February 26, 2005

african american inventors

Leader Publications has an article out of the Cassopolis Vigilant about a program presented recently entitled "Colors of Innovation," which discussed the contributions from African American inventors throughout history.

Much of what we know of the history of patents can be attributed to Henry Baker, an assistant in the Patent office, Bradley explained. Baker's research produced four volumes on black inventors, Bradley added. Nowdays, race is not listed on patent applications, but it was in the 1900s.

[For example] Benjamin Banneker not only invented the first wooden clock, he is also responsible for the first Farmer's Almanac. He is often referred to as the "first African American inventor."

Benjamin is known as a man of science and worked on a three man team with Major Andrew Ellicot and Pierre L'Efant, the architect in charge of planning the new capital — Washington D.C — utilizing his knowledge of astronomy. Before the plans were finished Pierre L'Efant was dismissed from the group because of his temper. When L'Efant left he took the plans with him. Benjamin was able to recreate the plans from memory, saving the U.S. Government the expense of having someone else plan the city.

Posted by Douglas Sorocco at 09:00 PM.
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