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The 10 Inventions You Need to Thank African Americans For

In order to commemorate Black History Month, here is a list of 10 inventions that were created by African Americans that have helped make our lives a little bit more easier!

James Lifton

Feb 05, 2021

Texas A&M University

The 10 Inventions You Need to Thank African Americans For

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If I was to ask you to come up with some famous inventors, what comes to mind? Would it be Thomas Edison? Alexander Graham Bell? Wilbur Wright?

Okay, what about Black Inventors? Any that come to mind? Could you name about ten without looking at this list?

Feeling Stumped?

It's okay! Our US education system has failed to incorporate this aspect into our history, and to make that up, here are the top ten inventions that you need to thank African Americans for!

1. The Three-Light Traffic Light - Garrett Morgan

Traffic light,red,black,green,yellow - free image from needpix.comwww.needpix.com

2. The Super Soaker - Lonnie G. Johnson

Soak David Tennant GIF by Doctor WhoGiphy

3. Home Security System - (Marie Van Brittan Brown)

File:Home Intruder Alarm system.JPG - Wikipediaen.m.wikipedia.org

4. The World's First Fastest Computer - Phil Emeagwali

working special agent GIF by TipsyElves.comGiphy

5. Pacemaker - Otis Boykin

Pacemaker Medical Implant - Free photo on Pixabaypixabay.com

6. Shockwave (Animation on the Web aka GIFS) - Lisa Gelobter

Cat Kitten GIF by DemicGiphy

7. Refrigerated Trucks - Frederick McKinley Jones

File:ELS Hino Dutro (2nd) Topre refrigerated truck.jpg - Wikimedia ...commons.wikimedia.org

8. Automatic Elevator Doors - Alexander Miles

Tired Season 5 GIF by The OfficeGiphy

9. Electret Microphone - James E. West

behind the scenes singing GIF by COINGiphy

10. Carbon Light Bulb Filament - Lewis Latimer

light lights out GIFGiphy

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The 10 Inventions You Need to Thank African Americans For

In order to commemorate Black History Month, here is a list of 10 inventions that were created by African Americans that have helped make our lives a little bit more easier!

1. The Three-Light Traffic Light - Garrett Morgan

2. The Super Soaker - Lonnie G. Johnson

3. Home Security System - (Marie Van Brittan Brown)

4. The World's First Fastest Computer - Phil Emeagwali

5. Pacemaker - Otis Boykin

6. Shockwave (Animation on the Web aka GIFS) - Lisa Gelobter

7. Refrigerated Trucks - Frederick McKinley Jones

8. Automatic Elevator Doors - Alexander Miles

9. Electret Microphone - James E. West

10. Carbon Light Bulb Filament - Lewis Latimer

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"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

28. I need a comfort dog so I can avoid all life and school responsibilities.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

Who isn't stressing out over finals right now?

'tis the season to be jolly!

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Phase One: The “I got this” phase

Phase Two: The “I have time” phase

Phase Three: The uncontrollable sobbing phase

Phase Four: The “help me, I've fallen and I can't get up” phase

Phase Five: The rejoicing phase

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