Innovations by Black women

Overcoming Barriers to Invention

Despite comprising half of all doctoral degrees in engineering and science, women hold a mere 10% of patents in the United States. This discrepancy is even more pronounced for women of color, particularly Black women. Studies have highlighted the additional hurdles Black women face in the invention process, including higher rates of patent rejection and the demand for excessively detailed descriptions of their innovations. Nevertheless, in celebration of Women’s History Month, we shine a spotlight on seven Black women whose groundbreaking inventions have transformed our daily lives.

Alice H. Parker: Revolutionizing Home Heating

Alice H. Parker, a graduate of Howard University, blazed a trail in 1919 by patenting the first central heating system powered by natural gas. Parker’s invention laid the groundwork for modern HVAC systems, alleviating the inefficiencies of wood-burning stoves and ensuring whole-home heating.

Shirley Jackson: Pioneering Fiber Optics

Shirley Jackson, the first Black woman to earn a doctorate in particle physics, revolutionized global communication with her invention of fiber optic cables. These cables serve as the backbone of modern telecommunications, enabling lightning-fast data transmission in telephone and internet systems worldwide.

Sarah E. Goode: Innovating Compact Living

Born into slavery, Sarah E. Goode defied the odds to become the second Black woman to receive a patent. Her fold-out bed design, conceived in post-Civil War Chicago, addressed the need for space-saving furniture in smaller, more affordable apartments.

Lyda D. Newman: Empowering Hair Care

Lyda D. Newman’s patent for hair brushes with synthetic bristles revolutionized hair care for women of color. By replacing animal hair bristles with synthetic alternatives, Newman’s brushes were better suited for detangling and styling textured hair, making hair care more accessible and effective.

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner: Transforming Feminine Hygiene

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner’s pioneering inventions, including the sanitary belt, modernized feminine hygiene. Despite facing a 30-year journey to patent approval, Kenner’s innovations laid the groundwork for modern menstrual pads, improving women’s health and comfort.

Sarah Boone: Streamlining Household Chores

In 1892, Sarah Boone’s invention of the ironing board revolutionized the efficiency of household chores. With its well-padded surface, collapsible legs, and burn-resistant design, Boone’s ironing board made ironing safer and more convenient for households everywhere.

Bessie Blount Griffin: Meeting Medical Needs

Bessie Blount Griffin’s invention of the electric feeding tube addressed a critical medical need for amputees after World War II. By enabling independent eating for patients with limited mobility, Griffin’s invention significantly improved their quality of life.

Closing Thoughts

These remarkable Black women innovators have not only made significant contributions to technology and daily life but have also defied systemic barriers to leave an indelible mark on history. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us honor their legacies and continue to champion diversity and inclusion in innovation.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Black enterprise