When we flip a light switch, wait for an elevator, or even cross the street at a traffic light, we rarely stop to think about the people who made such everyday conveniences possible. Popular history often credits well-known names like Edison, Bell, or Ford, yet many of the innovations we rely on were created by Black inventors whose stories remain hidden in the margins of history books.

From the late 18th century to the mid-20th century, these trailblazers worked against enormous odds. They lived in eras when racism and discrimination denied them proper education, patent rights, or financial support. Many could not even profit from their ideas. Yet, they persisted, creating life-saving devices, domestic tools, and ground breaking technologies that continue to shape modern society.

Here are 10 Black inventors and the incredible things they invented, along with the stories of how their work continues to impact our lives today.

1. Benjamin Banneker – The Almanac (1791)

Benjamin Banneker was born free in 1731, a rarity for African Americans of his time. A self-taught mathematician, astronomer, and farmer, he rose to prominence in an age when literacy for Black people was nearly impossible.

In 1791, Banneker published his first almanac, filled with astronomical calculations, weather predictions, medical advice, and essays on social issues. His accuracy in predicting solar eclipses stunned contemporary scientists. Beyond science, Banneker used his writings as a platform to argue against slavery and racial injustice.

Banneker’s almanac provided weather forecasts, farming guidance, astronomical data, and essays, a vital guidebook for daily life in the 18th century

Banneker’s almanacs demonstrated the intellectual capabilities of Black Americans at a time when society denied them recognition. His legacy also lives on in the tradition of Black excellence in STEM fields.

2. Lewis Latimer – Improved Light Bulb Filament (1882)

When people talk about the light bulb, Thomas Edison usually dominates the conversation. But Edison’s original bulb had one fatal flaw — the filament burned out quickly, making it expensive and impractical.

Enter Lewis Latimer, the son of formerly enslaved parents. A draftsman, engineer, and inventor, Latimer developed a carbon filament in 1882 that dramatically extended the life of light bulbs. His work, along with his contributions to the telephone patent with Alexander Graham Bell, placed him at the heart of America’s industrial revolution.

Latimer’s innovation made electric lighting affordable and accessible, allowing it to spread into homes, businesses, and streets worldwide. Every light switch we flip today carries his legacy.

3. Charles Drew – Blood Plasma Storage and Blood Banks (1945)

Imagine a world where doctors couldn’t preserve blood for transfusions. That was the case before Dr. Charles Drew, a surgeon and medical researcher, developed groundbreaking techniques to store blood plasma in 1945.

Despite racial barriers, he went on to earn his medical degree at McGill University in Canada, and later became the first African American to earn a Doctor of Science in Medicine degree from Columbia University

His work allowed for the large-scale creation of blood banks, which became crucial during World War II and continue to save millions of lives today. Tragically, Drew’s contributions were overshadowed by racism. At the time, the U.S. military segregated blood donations by race, a practice he strongly opposed.

Modern hospitals, disaster relief organizations, and the Red Cross all rely on systems Drew pioneered. His work proves how science, when applied with compassion, can change the course of humanity.

4. Garrett Morgan – Gas Mask (1914) and Traffic Signal (1923)

Garrett Morgan was a man of many firsts. Born in 1877, he had only a sixth-grade education but taught himself mechanical skills that led to several patents.

In 1914, he invented a safety hood — an early gas mask that filtered out smoke and harmful chemicals. Fire departments adopted it, and later, it was used during World War I to protect soldiers from chemical warfare.

Every red, yellow, and green light at an intersection traces back to Morgan. His work continues to save lives daily, from drivers to pedestrians.

5. Frederick M. Jones – Automatic Refrigeration System

Frederick McKinley Jones was an innovator with over 60 patents, but his most significant contribution came in 1940 with the invention of the the automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks in 1940

Initially applied to refrigerated trucks, Jones’s technology revolutionized the transportation of perishable goods such as meat, vegetables, and dairy. Beyond food, his invention also ensured that life-saving medicines, blood, and vaccines could be safely transported, making him a quiet hero in global health.

The cold storage supply chain was also critical during the COVID-19 vaccine distribution and was rooted in Jones’s invention. Every refrigerated truck or shipping container in use today owes a debt to him.

6. Osbourn Dorsey – Door Knob and Doorstop (1878)

Think of how many times you turn a doorknob in a day. Before Osbourn Dorseypatented his version of the doorknob and doorstop in 1878, doors were often secured with inconvenient latches or bars.

His design not only made doors easier to open and close but also improved security and privacy in homes and public buildings. Though not as flashy as a light bulb or gas mask, Dorsey’s invention has become one of the most widely used household innovations.

A small invention with massive impact like Dorsey’s doorknob is a reminder that even simple ideas can transform everyday life.

7. Lydia O. Newman – Hairbrush (1898)

In 1898, Lydia Newman patented a revolutionary hairbrush that included synthetic bristles and a removable compartment for cleaning. Unlike earlier designs, her brush was more hygienic and durable.

Newman’s invention was particularly important for Black women, as it better addressed their hair textures and grooming needs. Beyond her contributions as an inventor, she was also an advocate for women’s suffrage, linking her creativity with activism.

His design became the foundation for modern hairbrushes. She represents how innovation can meet personal and cultural needs, while also empowering communities.

8. Granville T. Woods – Railway Telegraph and Auto Cut-Off Switch (1880s)

Granville T. Woods, often called “The Black Edison,” held over 50 patents in his lifetime. Among his most notable inventions was the induction telegraph system, which allowed moving trains to communicate with stations. This technology prevented countless accidents in the 1880s when railroads were America’s primary means of transportation.

He also invented the automatic cut-off switch, which improved electrical railway systems. Woods’s work was so influential that companies like Edison’s tried to buy his patents — and when he refused, they attempted to sue him. Woods won the lawsuits, proving his genius in court as well as in engineering.

His innovations laid the groundwork for modern railway communication and safety systems, influencing public transportation worldwide.

9. Alexander Miles – Elevator Safety Mechanism (1867)

Before Alexander Miles’s invention, elevator doors had to be manually opened and closed. This often led to accidents, with people falling into open shafts. In 1867, Miles patented an automatic mechanism that allowed doors to open and close safely.

Though his invention was not immediately adopted everywhere, it represented a major leap in building safety and paved the way for the development of skyscrapers and modern urban architecture.

Miles’s elevator safety mechanism is a quiet but vital contribution. Every safe elevator ride in office towers, malls, and apartment complexes reflects his legacy.

10. George Washington Carver – Agricultural Innovations (Early 1900s)

George Washington Carver is often remembered as “the peanut man,” but his contributions go far beyond that. Born into slavery, Carver became one of America’s most respected agricultural scientists.

He promoted crop rotation, teaching farmers to plant peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes to restore nutrients in soil depleted by cotton farming. He also developed over 300 uses for peanuts and hundreds more for sweet potatoes, from paints and plastics to fuel alternatives.

Carver’s sustainable farming methods not only lifted poor farmers out of poverty but also laid the foundation for modern environmental conservation and agricultural science.

Conclusion

The brilliance of these inventors is etched into the world around us. Every time we ride an elevator, cross at a traffic light, receive a blood transfusion, or enjoy fresh food from a refrigerated truck, we are living within the legacies of Black inventors.

What makes their stories even more remarkable is the context: they created against the backdrop of slavery, segregation, and systemic discrimination. Their resilience and creativity prove that innovation knows no colour, and that progress thrives when diversity is embraced.

Honouring their contributions isn’t just about setting the historical record straight, it’s about recognizing that the future of innovation depends on uplifting voices that have long been overlooked.