Inventions by black people have changed the way we live.

From things we eat to systems that keep us safe to the way our kids have fun in the summer- all have come from the brilliant minds of black inventors.

While February is love month, we also want to take a moment to celebrate the men and women who have shaped our world by bringing their names out of obscurity into the light.

While this is not an exhaustive list of all inventions by black people, this small sample makes you appreciate all their contributions to your way of life; some may even surprise you.

Comment below if you can think of more, and we’ll grow the list together.

50 Inventions by Black People

Transportation & Safety Innovations

1. The Traffic Light – Garrett Morgan

Invented in 1923, Morgan’s three-position traffic signal made roads safer for drivers and pedestrians worldwide.

2. Automatic Elevator Doors – Alexander Miles

Before his 1887 invention, elevator users had to manually close doors, which was a safety hazard.

3. The Gas Mask – Garrett Morgan

His invention in 1912 helped protect workers and soldiers from smoke and hazardous gases, influencing modern gas masks.

4. The Fire Escape Ladder – Joseph Winters

Invented in 1878, this device made it easier for firefighters to save lives.

5. Automatic Gear Shift – Richard Spikes

Spikes’ 1932 invention made manual transmission shifting smoother and more accessible for drivers.

6. Railway Telegraph System – Granville T. Woods

This 1887 invention allowed moving trains to communicate with stations, improving railway safety.

7. The Airplane Toilet System – James Henry*

Henry patented a new toilet system for airplanes in the 1980s, revolutionizing air travel comfort.

Home & Everyday Life Innovations

8. The Home Security System – Marie Van Brittan Brown

She patented the first home security system in 1966, including surveillance cameras and two-way communication.

9. The Modern Ironing Board – Sarah Boone

Boone’s 1892 design made ironing easier by improving its shape and stability.

10. The Clothes Dryer – George T. Sampson

Invented in 1892, his design allowed clothes to be dried more efficiently.

11. The Folding Chair – Nathaniel Alexander

His 1911 invention made seating more convenient for events and gatherings.

12. The Dustpan – Lloyd Ray

Ray’s dustpan design in 1897 improved household cleanliness.

13. The Mop – Thomas W. Stewart

Stewart patented a self-wringing mop in 1893, making floor cleaning much easier.

14. The Fountain Pen – William Purvis

Purvis invented an improved fountain pen design in 1890 that eliminated ink leaks.

15. The Pencil Sharpener – John Lee Love

His 1897 portable pencil sharpener made sharpening more efficient.

Medical & Scientific Contributions

16. Blood Banks & Plasma Preservation – Dr. Charles Drew

His groundbreaking work in blood storage led to the first blood banks, saving countless lives.

17. Cataract Laser Surgery Device – Dr. Patricia Bath

She invented the Laserphaco Probe in 1986, revolutionizing eye surgery.

18. The First Successful Open-Heart Surgery – Dr. Daniel Hale Williams

In 1893, he became the first surgeon to successfully perform open-heart surgery.

19. The Disposable Syringe – Phil Brooks

Brooks improved the disposable syringe, making injections safer and more hygienic.

20. The First Large-Scale Human Heart Surgery – Vivien Thomas

He developed techniques to treat congenital heart defects, pioneering modern cardiac surgery.

Technology & Communication Innovations

21. The First Video Game Cartridge – Jerry Lawson

Lawson created the first interchangeable video game cartridges in the 1970s, leading to home gaming consoles.

22. The Modern Cell Phone Microphone – James West

West co-invented the electret microphone in 1964, which is still used in phones and microphones today.

23. Three-Way Telephone Communication – Granville T. Woods

Woods patented a device in 1887 that allowed telephones to connect in three-way calls.

24. Caller ID and Call Waiting – Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson

Her research in telecommunications contributed to the development of caller ID and call waiting.

25. The Portable Fax Machine – Grantville T. Woods

His work laid the foundation for modern fax machines.

Food & Agriculture Innovations

26. Peanut-Based Inventions – George Washington Carver

Carver created over 300 peanut-based products, including peanut butter, oils, and cosmetics.

27. Refrigerated Trucks – Frederick McKinley Jones

Jones invented a cooling system in 1940 that allowed food to be transported safely over long distances.

28. The Ice Cream Scoop – Alfred L. Cralle

His 1897 invention simplified serving ice cream.

29. The Modern Potato Chip – George Crum

In 1853, Crum accidentally created the potato chip when trying to satisfy a picky customer.

30. The Automatic Bread Maker – Joseph Lee

Lee invented an automatic bread-kneading machine in 1895, improving commercial baking.

Sports & Recreation Contributions

31. The Modern Golf Tee – Dr. George Grant

Grant patented the first modern golf tee in 1899, improving the game of golf.

32. Roller Coasters Safety Improvements – Granville T. Woods

His technology enhanced roller coaster safety and electric railway systems.

33. The Automatic Fishing Reel – George Cook

Cook’s 1899 fishing reel made casting and reeling in fish much easier.

Fashion & Beauty Innovations

34. Synthetic Hair Weaving – Christina Jenkins

Jenkins developed the hair weave technique in the 1950s, revolutionizing the beauty industry.

35. The Hot Comb – Madam C.J. Walker

Walker popularized and improved the hot comb for straightening hair.

36. Permanent Hair Wave Machine – Marjorie Joyner

In 1928, Joyner invented a device that allowed for long-lasting curls.

Music & Entertainment Innovations

37. The Electric Guitar Pickup – Robert F. Flemming Jr.

His 1886 invention improved the sound quality of electric guitars.

38. The First Synthesizer – Raymond Scott (with support from African American engineers)

Scott developed one of the first electronic music synthesizers in the 1950s.

Environmental & Energy Innovations

39. The Carbon Filament for Light Bulbs – Lewis Latimer

Latimer’s work improved Edison’s light bulb by making it last longer.

40. The Heating Furnace – Alice Parker

Her 1919 invention revolutionized home heating systems.

41. The Solar Water Heater – Lonnie Johnson

Johnson, also the creator of the Super Soaker, developed new solar energy technology.

Military & Defense Contributions

42. Bulletproof Vest Material – Dr. Jackson Robinson

Robinson contributed to the development of Kevlar-like materials for bulletproof vests.

43. The Automatic Target Gun Sighting System – Otis Boykin

His invention improved military targeting systems.

Miscellaneous Innovations

44. The First Automatic Lubricator for Machines – Elijah McCoy

His 1872 invention kept train engines running smoothly.

45. The Shoe Lasting Machine – Jan Ernst Matzeliger

This 1883 invention automated shoe production, making quality footwear more affordable.

46. The Paint Roller – Richard Spikes

Spikes made painting easier with his roller design.

47. The Portable X-ray Machine – Dr. Thomas Mensah

His research helped improve X-ray imaging.

48. The Super Soaker – Lonnie Johnson

Johnson created one of the best-selling water guns of all time.

49. The Guitar Effects Pedal – Floyd Smith

His work laid the foundation for modern electric guitar sounds.

50. The Typewriter Improvements – Lee Burridge & John Lee Love

We Celebrate Them

Inventions by black people have revolutionized our world!

From tasty treats like peanut butter and the modern potato chip to how women get their hair done, heat our homes, and keep the men and women in the military safe- all came from black men and women.

While we use many of these inventions on a regular day basis (thank you, James West), we fail to realize their origin and the great lengths our brothers and sisters had to overcome to be recognized for their contributions.

Today, we salute all those on this list, and any others we may have missed, for their innovation, tenacity, and desire to make our lives better than generations before.

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