Inventions surround us. Everyday, we use items that have materialized and evolved over time thanks to the genius inventions of people who saw a need and created a solution; however, we often take many of these things for granted. Seriously, when have you ever contemplated who invented the curtain rod? Ironing board? Sprinkler systems? All of these technologies come with patents held by brilliant inventors and changed our quality of life.
In this week’s blog, we want to talk about some common household-centric inventions and their African American inventors. Without these items, life in our homes would be very different than they are today.
Let’s take a look…
Frederick Jones, inventor of the Thermostat control and portable air conditioning unit, holds over 60 patents on inventions, 40 of which are related to refrigeration. I think all of us are grateful for the ability to control our climates.
Albert Richardson invented, among other things, an insect destroying gun (1899) and the butter churn (1891). The butter churn in particular, was a total game changer for women back in the day when everyone had to make their own butter from the cream of their own hand milked cows. Previous to the churn, the only option was to beat the cream by hand in a bowl which was very time consuming. The butter churn eventually revolutionized not just home-making, but the whole food industry. Agricultural farming practices were forever changed and the entire pest control industry rose up with the arrival of the insect destroying gun, which was designed to control crop destroying insects.
In addition to the butter church, several other kitchen devices owe their existence to Black inventors including the egg beater (one of the most fun kitchen tools in our book) which was invented in 1884 by Willie Johnson. The automatic biscuit cutter was patented by Alexander P. Ashbourne in 1875, which allowed for cutting out multiple biscuits at once. Ashbourne also received several patents related to various coconut oil and coconut processes.
Dressmaker Sarah Boone patented the improved ironing board in 1892. Very few people LIKE ironing, but ironing boards do make the process much easier and the results much crisper. Sarah’s invention collapsed for easier storage, was padded to prevent impressions, and provided easier manipulation of sleeves and long skirts for pressing.
Both the door knob and the door stop were invented by Osbourn Dorsey in 1878. Surprising, right? It took a while for the door knob to catch on because, at the time, people were accustomed to latches and straps for securing and opening doors.
Curiously, the curtain rod was born by Samuel R. Scottron in 1892, but it wasn’t until 1896 that William S. Grant invented the curtain rod supports. Our window dressing wouldn’t be complete without these men’s contribution to the home decor industry.
The evolution of the modern bathroom was helped along by Thomas Elkins’s chamber commode in 1872. He also invented a unique folding table in 1870. You really have to see both of these things to understand their functionality. The table combined dining, ironing and quilting frame all in one. He also created an improved refrigerator in 1879, that was eventually adapted to be used in mortuaries.
Several furniture innovations were initiated by several Black inventors. While Leonard Bailey’s folding bed design from 1899 was originally intended for army field hospital usage, there is no doubt that this patent inspired the innovation of folding cots and air mattresses that we use in our guest bedrooms today. Likewise, where would we sit for large family gatherings or church dinners without the ubiquitous folding chair invented by Nathanial Alexander in 1911? Or, how would we move all of those heavy pianos and other cumbersome furniture by ourselves without the furniture casters that were invented by David A. Fisher in 1878.
Curb appeal wouldn’t be the same without our greenest grass, which can only be achieved with regular watering. Lucky for us, John H. Smith invented the lawn sprinkler in 1897.
We also like clean houses, especially when we get them ready to sell. Thomas W. Stewart revolutionized the household mop in 1893 when he invented the mop clamping device to wring out a wet mop so we could more easily clean our grubby floors. A new fangled clothes dryer was invented by George Sampson in 1892. Sampson’s invention was a ventilator-type dryer, and while it was not the first clothes dryer in the world, it was the first patented clothes dryer and represented a significant advancement in the technology.
A locked home is a secure home. In 1889, Washington Martin upgraded the lock so that our homes, businesses, and property, could be locked up more safely.
Lastly, if it wasn’t for Philip Downing, everyone would have to take a lot more trips to the post office to mail their letters. Downing invented the street letter box (those ubiquitous blue boxes where we can drop mail to be picked up by the United States Post Office) in 1891, that allowed for the easier distribution of mailed communications.
Do you know more home-centric inventions invented by African-Americans? Drop a comment and let us know! For more information on these home-centric inventions and their inventors, or to learn more about all sorts of other inventions, you can visit these websites:
