5 Everyday Items Black Women Invented.
Last week saw Dr. Gladys West’s induction into the hall of fame for the invention of the GPS. It came as a surprise to us and – we’re certain – to a larger number of people around the world, that a black woman was the mind behind the GPS. Inspired by this surprise, we did a quick search to discover if there were any other black women, history had omitted, behind the invention of everyday items. Here’s what we found:
- Laser Eye Surgery
Dr. Patricia Bath, an alumnus of Howard University, has three patents, one of which is for the device used in laser cataract surgery. Known as the Laserphaco probe “provides a safer and less invasive method for removing cataracts and has allowed for groundbreaking surgeries around the globe.” She’s also the first black female medical doctor to receive a patent.
- Caller ID
Imagine always having to ask who’s on the phone every time you receive a call? Well, thanks to Shirley Anne Jackson, most of us never know. Apart from contributions to Caller ID, her innovations helped the telecommunications industry develop Call Waiting, touch tone phone, portable fax, and the fiber optic cable. She’s also the first African Woman to earn a doctorate at MIT in Nuclear Physics.
- CCTV
In 1996, Marie Van Britten Brown developed a TV security system that laid the foundation of CCTV. She along with her husband were the first people to utilize TV in home security systems. She also created a remote control that’s able to lock and unlock doors. Thanks to Mrs Brown, we’re able to catch people unawares, in their antics.
- Toast Bread
Ruane Sharon Jeter was the mind behind the toaster, the machine that gives us toast; the breakfast of the masses. She didn’t stop there, together with her sister, Shelia Lynn Jeter she invented multiple products including the stapler, staple remover and sheathed scissors. It only makes sense that we toast to Ruane Sharon Jeter, for her accomplishments.
- Hairbrush
While Lynda Newman didn’t invent the hairbrush, she did spice it up. Her model of the hairbrush introduced evenly spaced rows of bristles, open slots to guide debris, and even included a component in the back to allow for cleaning with ease.
