Overview:
This 1913 text, “The Colored Inventor: A Record of Fifty Years,” by Henry E. Baker, delves into the contributions of Black inventors to American progress. Baker, himself an Assistant Examiner at the US Patent Office, challenges the common perception that Black people have not significantly contributed to invention. He refutes claims that Black people lack the capacity for innovation, presenting a compelling narrative of Black ingenuity and invention, while acknowledging the systemic barriers they faced.
Baker highlights the work of individuals like Granville T. Woods, Elijah McCoy, and Jan Matzeliger, whose inventions had significant commercial success. He explores the context of invention during slavery, mentioning the invention of the cotton gin and its rumored connection to enslaved people. He further explores the challenges of accessing accurate information about Black inventions due to a lack of racial categorization within the Patent Office records. Ultimately, Baker’s purpose is to raise awareness of the achievements of Black inventors and to inspire hope for their continued progress in the future.
Key Findings:
- The text argues that Black inventors have played a significant role in American innovation despite facing systemic barriers and misconceptions.
- Baker presents a comprehensive list of Black inventors, highlighting their inventions and their contributions to various industries.
- He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of Black inventors to challenge prejudice and promote inclusivity.
Learning:
- The Significance of Invention: The text explains how inventions drive progress and shape our world, emphasizing their impact on agriculture, industry, communication, and transportation.
- Details: Baker lists examples of inventions that have revolutionized various fields, from agricultural implements to telecommunication devices, demonstrating the transformative power of human ingenuity.
- Challenging Stereotypes: The text challenges the misconception that Black people are incapable of innovation, highlighting the historical and contemporary examples of Black inventors who have made significant contributions.
- Details: Baker presents evidence and anecdotes to debunk the prevailing prejudice against Black intellect and inventiveness. He cites historical figures like Benjamin Banneker and more contemporary inventors like Granville T. Woods and Jan Matzeliger, demonstrating that Black individuals have always been capable of innovative thinking.
- The Power of Perseverance: The text shows the resilience and determination of Black inventors who faced significant obstacles in a racist society.
- Details: Baker mentions the challenges of obtaining patents and the skepticism they faced from both the public and the legal system. He recounts stories of Black inventors who overcame prejudice and lack of access to resources to achieve success.
Historical Context:
The text was published in 1913, just fifty years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It reflects a period of significant social change and growing awareness of the rights and contributions of Black people in American society. This historical context influences Baker’s argument, as he uses the anniversary to highlight the progress made by the Black community while also acknowledging the ongoing struggles for equality.
Facts:
- Benjamin Banneker was the first Black astronomer in the United States. He constructed a clock with crude tools and no knowledge of other timepieces except a watch and sundial.
- The first two patents granted to a Black inventor were for corn harvesters. These were granted to Henry Blair of Maryland in 1834 and 1836.
- There is no racial classification in the Patent Office records. This makes it difficult to determine the exact number of patents granted to Black inventors.
- The zigzag fence was introduced to the United States by African slaves.
- Granville T. Woods was a prolific inventor known for his work in electrical engineering. He held over 60 patents, including several for telegraphic and telephonic instruments.
- Elijah McCoy was a pioneer in lubricating machinery. He invented a self-oiling cup that revolutionized industrial practices.
- William B. Purvis was a Philadelphia inventor known for his work on paper bag machines. He also held patents for electric railways, fountain pens, and magnetic car-balancing devices.
- Joseph Hunter Dickinson specialized in musical instruments, particularly the piano. He was employed by a large piano factory and held patents for automatic piano-playing mechanisms.
- Jan Matzeliger invented the first complete shoe-making machine. His invention revolutionized the shoe industry and laid the foundation for the United Shoe Machinery Company.
- The United Shoe Machinery Company, which grew out of Matzeliger’s invention, controls over 300 patents. It is the largest and richest corporation of its kind in the world.
- Matzeliger’s shoe-making machine was initially considered imperfect but was later improved upon by other inventors.
- Matzeliger was a “mulatto” according to his death certificate.
- The North Congregational Society in Lynn, Massachusetts, sold the stock Matzeliger had bequeathed to them and used the proceeds to pay off their debt.
- There have been more than twenty patents granted to Black women inventors.
- The “Emancipation Proclamation” granted physical freedom to slaves and their descendants.
- Henry Ward Beecher, a well-known figure in popular thought, believed that the entire African race could be erased without loss to civilization.
- A candidate for Congress in Maryland stated that no Black person had ever reached the dignity of an inventor.
- A newspaper in Richmond, Virginia, claimed that no Black person had ever been granted a patent.
- A practicing attorney from Tennessee said that he had never heard of a Black inventor and considered the whole subject a joke.
- There is a widespread belief that Black people lack initiative, originality, and mental capacity for higher-level work.
Statistics:
- There are over 10,000,000 Black people in the United States.
- The U.S. government has granted over 1,000,000 patents to inventors from all over the world.
- Nearly 800 patents have been verified as belonging to Black inventors.
- The US Patent Office has received over 2,500 responses to a survey regarding Black inventors, with nearly half of the responses stating that they had never heard of a Black inventor.
- The United Shoe Machinery Company employs 4,200 people and has a working capital of $20,860,000.
- The United Shoe Machinery Company’s factories cover 21 acres of land.
- The company graduates 200 students annually from its school for shoe-making machine operators.
- The North Congregational Society in Lynn, Massachusetts, received $10,860 from the sale of stock bequeathed by Jan Matzeliger.
- The company with which Joseph Hunter Dickinson is identified is one of the largest piano manufacturing corporations in the world.
- Charles V. Richey has obtained over a dozen patents, including a device for registering telephone calls and detecting unauthorized use.
- Granville T. Woods obtained over 60 patents.
- Elijah McCoy obtained nearly 40 patents.
- William B. Purvis obtained over a dozen patents.
- Frank J. Ferrell obtained over a dozen patents.
- Benjamin F. Jackson obtained over a dozen patents.
- George W. Murray obtained eight patents.
- Henry Creamer obtained seven patents.
- Andrew J. Beard obtained seven patents.
- William Douglass obtained six patents.
- James Doyle obtained several patents.
Terms:
- Emancipation Proclamation: A presidential proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be freed.
- Patent: A government grant that gives an inventor exclusive rights to make, use, and sell their invention for a set period of time.
- Mulatto: An outdated term for a person of mixed African and European ancestry.
- Incubator: A device that provides a controlled environment for hatching eggs.
- Steam Trap: A device that automatically removes condensate from steam systems.
- Trolley Wheel: A wheel that runs along an overhead wire, providing electrical power to a vehicle.
- Locomotive: A self-propelled engine that pulls or pushes railway cars.
- Aeronautics: The science and technology of flight.
- Bric-à-brac: Small decorative objects.
- Zigzag Fence: A type of fence constructed with alternating angles for added strength.
Examples:
- Benjamin Banneker’s clock: A complex timepiece constructed with crude tools, demonstrating his mechanical ingenuity.
- Henry Blair’s corn harvesters: The first patents granted to a Black inventor, marking early achievements in agricultural technology.
- Granville T. Woods’ inventions: Woods’ work in telegraphic and telephonic instruments, electric railways, and electrical control systems exemplified his expertise in electrical engineering.
- Elijah McCoy’s lubricating cup: This invention revolutionized machinery maintenance by enabling continuous lubrication without stopping the machine.
- William B. Purvis’ paper bag machines: Purvis’ inventions in this area significantly improved the efficiency of paper bag production.
- Joseph Hunter Dickinson’s automatic piano mechanisms: Dickinson’s innovations made significant contributions to the development of player pianos.
- Jan Matzeliger’s shoe-making machine: This landmark invention transformed the shoe industry by automating the process of attaching soles to shoes.
- Shelby J. Davidson’s rewind device for tabulating machines: Davidson’s invention improved the efficiency of government accounting processes.
- Robert Pelham’s statistical tabulating machine: Pelham’s machine streamlined the process of compiling statistical data in the Census Bureau.
- W. A. Lavalette’s printing machine: Lavalette’s invention was a significant improvement in printing technology in its time, demonstrating his early contributions to the field.
Conclusion: “The Colored Inventor: A Record of Fifty Years” effectively challenges the prevailing misconceptions about the contributions of Black people to invention in America. It showcases the accomplishments of notable Black inventors, highlighting their ingenuity, perseverance, and impact on various industries. By emphasizing the history of Black invention and debunking stereotypes, the text aims to inspire hope for greater recognition and inclusivity in the future. The text reminds us that innovation transcends racial boundaries and that Black inventors have played a vital role in shaping the world we know today.