In light of Black History Month, we would like to highlight some products that were invented or have been improved by women of color.
Dr. Shirley Jackson
Dr. Shirley Jackson gave us the touch-tone phone, portable fax machine and caller ID among other things.
Marie van Brittan Brown
Thanks to the contribution of Marie van Brittan Brown, we can feel safer. She invented the closed-circuit television security system. This system is used all over, to help keep us safe.
Dr. Patricia Bath
Dr. Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe which is a laser to remove cataracts. With her invention, removing cataracts is safer and cleaner.
Sarah Breedlove AKA Madam C.J. Walker
Madame C.J. Walker is always one of the first Black inventors that we learn about. She was the first self-made millionaire with her hair and beauty product business. She paved the way for many Black beauticians and African-American owned hair businesses.
Sarah Boone
Sarah Boone improved on the ironing board by making it easier to iron sleeves and women’s clothing. Her new and improved board was also easier to store.
Theora Stephens
Another pioneer for African American hair, Stephens created the pressing/ curling iron in 1983.
Alice Parker
Parker improved how people heated their homes. She invented a gas heating furnace for central heating in 1919.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner
Kenner improved the mechanism for the bathroom tissue holder in 1982. Many of us have a variation of this in our homes or dorm room bathrooms.
Maxine Snowden
Maxine Snowden invented the rain hat in 1983. Thanks to her we don’t have to worry about our hair in the rain.