By Diane Colcord
In view of recent actions of the Trump regime regarding American Black history, it seemed only fitting to highlight some of our fellow Americans’ achievements.
Thanks to the University of Kentucky for this:
Garrett Morgan – an inventor who patented the first three signal traffic light and patented a hood that helped protect people from breathing pollutants and gases. This design became the model for gas masks used in WWI.
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson – the first African American woman to earn a doctorate from MIT. Her theoretical physics research at Bell Laboratories laid the groundwork for caller ID, call waiting, fiber optic cables, the touchtone phone and the portable fax machine.
Roy L. Clay – a mathematician, entrepreneur often called “the Godfather of Black Silicon Valley.” Clay developed a minicomputer for Hewlett Packard, eventually leading HP’s Research and Development Computer Group,
Mary Van Brittan Brown – created the first at home security system. Working long hours as a Nurse, Brown wanted to monitor people who knocked late at night. Using a camera to monitor peep holes, Brown devised a security system that allowed her to view visitors on a monitor and talk to them by using a two-way microphone.
James West, co-invented the foil electret microphone, used in approximately 90 percent of microphones today. This technology is used in camcorders, telephones, baby monitors, hearing aids and tape recorders. West worked for Bell Laboratories, became a professor at Johns Hopkins and has received at least 250 patents.
Mark Dean – engineer and computer scientist, helped create technology at IBM that led to the first gigahertz chip and a color PC monitor. In 1996, he became the first African American to become an IBM fellow. Dean is also an inductee of the National Academy of Engineers and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Valarie Thomas – invented three dimensional images while working at NASA, analyzing the data of satellites. In 1980, Thomas received the patent for her invention—the illusion transmitter. Nasa used this technology in its satellites.
Each one a Black American. Each achievement making our everyday lives better.