• April 18th, 2025
• 0 Comments

In Case You Missed It during #BlackHistoryMonth: Throughout history, African American inventors have made groundbreaking contributions to transportation, shaping the way we travel and commute today. Despite facing significant challenges, these individuals revolutionized industries with their ingenuity, persistence, and technical prowess.

• Elbert Robinson and the evolution of trolleys
  • In an 1893 patent for improvement in trolleys for electric railways, Robinson's primary innovation focused on a new design for trolley wheels that remained securely attached to the wire when rounding curves or descending hills leading to smoother and safer electric railways.
• Charles Brook sand the first self-propelled street sweeper
  • In 1896, Brooks street sweeper patent featured a truck-like frame equipped with rotating brushes that collected debris into a bin, an invention that ultimately led to significant improvements in sanitation and public health and paved the way for future advancements.
• Frederick McKinley Jones and refrigerated transport
  • A self-taught mechanical and electrical engineer, McKinley Jones transformed food transportation in the 1930s be developing air conditioning systems for trucks and railcars, allowing perishable food items to be transported over long distances without spoiling, revolutionizing the food industry. He went on to become co-founder of Thermo King.
• Meredith Gourdine and the catalytic convertor
  • Patented in 1967, Gourdine's exhaust purification system (now known as the catalytic convertor) helped to reduce harmful vehicle emissions to significantly minimize air pollution.
• Alexander Miles and safer elevators
  • Prior to 1887, elevators posed significant safety risks as their shaft doors often remained open leading to dangerous falls. Miles patent the mechanism that automatically opened and closed shaft doors in sync with elevator doors, dramatically improving elevator safety and influencing modern designs still relied on today.
• Dr. Shirley Jackson and the telecommunication revolution
  • During the 1970s, Dr. Jackson's theoretical physics research led to numerous advancements in telecommunications, many of which enabled telecommuting and remote work, including contributions to developments in touch-tone telephones, portable fax machines, caller ID, call waiting, and fiber-optic cables, all of which have reshaped the modern workplace and global communication.
• Marian Croak and the advancement of VoIP technology
  • Holding over 135 patents, Croak played a pivotal role in the development of voice-over-Internet-protocol technology, making telecommuting and video conferencing more efficient and accessible, significantly impacting modern digital communication and remote work opportunities. She currently works as VP of Engineering at Google and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2022.
• Elijah McCoy and the "Real McCoy" lubrication system
  • In 1872, McCoy invented a lubricating cup that automatically dripped oil where needed, preventing train wheels from sticking to the tracks, revolutionizing railway mechanics by improving railroad efficiency and safety. His invention was so effective that many imitations arose, leading companies to insist on purchasing the "Real McCoy."
• Garrett Morgan and the three-position traffic signal
  • In 1923, Morgan patented a traffic signal that introduced a third cautionary phase command to traditional stop-and-go signals, helping to regulate traffic more effectively, and in turn, reducing accidents and improving overall road safety. His design laid the foundation for the modern traffic light we still use today.

Source: Gary Cremeens, LinkedIn