In honor of Black History Month, observed each year in February, we’re presenting a few of the many Black inventors who have enriched industry and technology in the United States:
- Jan Ernst Matzeliger invented a shoe making machine that could make 150 to 700 pairs of shoes in one day, compared to 50 pairs a day sewn by hand.
- Andrew Jackson Beard invented an improved flour mill, plow, and steam engine. He went on to invent the Jenny coupler, which automatically attached railroad cars to one anther on contact.
- Norbert Rillieux was invented the multiple effect vacuum evaporator, which revolutionized the process of evaporating substances like sugar, gelatin, and whiskey.
- Henry Blair was awarded patents for two types of automatic seed planters.
- Elijah McCoy developed a self-lubricating system for railroad trains.
- Alexander Miles invented automatic self-closing doors for elevators.
- Mark Dean was one of the inventors of the IBM personal computer.
- Frederick McKinley Jones invented a range of portable refrigeration devices for vehicles.
- Otis Boykin came up with improved electric resistors.
We look forward to a time when we no longer need Black History Month because we are always aware of the contributions of Black Americans.
At any time, when you need service and support for your Rexroth industrial motion control systems, call us as (479) 422-0390.