Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 2-8-19

Black History
12 Reasons To Thank A Black Person - Inventions
Plenty would not exist were it not for Black pioneers; here’s a very small glimpse at what modern day inventions came from the African American community.
3. Automatic Elevator Doors
ALEXANDER MILES – We’ve all gotten the elevator door hug and we all owe this man.
2. America’s First Clock
BENJAMIN BANNEKER – He was a farmer, mathematician, astronomer, land surveyor, and the subject of a Stevie Wonder song.
1. Automatic Gear Shift
RICHARD SPIKES – Driving up a steep hill got a whole lot easier in 1932, thanks to this guy.
4. Blimp
JOHN PICKERING – His was the first blimp to have an electric motor and directional controls. Goodyear better have this man’s picture in their lobby.
5. Blood Bank
DR. CHARLES DREW – For his invention of a method of separating and storing plasma, allow- ing it to be dehydrated and banked for later use, Dr. Drew was the first black person awarded a doctorate at Columbia University.
6. Folding Chair
JOHN PURDY – With patent partner James R. Sadgwar, Purdy made taking a chair with you purdy easy. Get it?
7. Electric Lamp
LEWIS LATIMER – He also invented the car- bon filament inside light bulbs.
9. Home Security System
MARIE VAN BRITTAN BROWN – And televi- sion has been part of home security ever since.
8. Golf Tee
DR. GEORGE GRANT – They say he was an avid golfer, but not a great one. Hopefully his patent improved his game.
12. Gas Heating Furnace
ALICE H. PARKER – Forever changing the way we stay warm in the winter.
10. Gas Mask
GARRET MORGAN – It all started when this guy rescued trapped miners wearing a hood to protect his eyes from smoke and had tubes lead- ing to the floor to draw clean air.
11. Pacemaker
OTIS BOYKIN – On top of this lifesaving inven- tion, he was born in Dallas, Texas. Double. Great- ness.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B