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Politics and Activism

17 Inventions You Need To Thank Black People For

In honor of Black History Month, let's take a look at all the wonderful things we might not have without black people.

Janele Partman

Feb 11, 2019

Towson University

17 Inventions You Need To Thank Black People For

Pexels

1. The First Clock

Credit: Benjamin Banneker

2. Blood Banks

Credit: Dr. Charles Drew

3. The Pacemaker

Credit: Otis Boykin

4. Home Security System

Credit: Marie Van Brittan Brown & Albert Brown

5. The Hot Comb

Credit: Madam C.J. Walker

6. The Traffic Light

Credit: Garrett Morgan

7. The Mailbox

Credit: Philip Downing

8. 3-D Special Effects

See on Instagram

Credit: Marc Hannah

9. Dry Cleaning

Credit: Thomas L. Jennings

10. Telecommunications

e.g. Portable Fax, Touch-tone Telephone, Caller I.D.

Credit: Dr. Shirley Jackson

11. Automatic Elevator Doors

Credit: Alexander Miles

12. Cooking Oil & More Peanut-Based Products

Credit: George Washington Carver

13. The Super Soaker

See on Instagram

Credit: Lonnie G. Johnson

14. The Microphone

Credit: Dr. James E. West

15. Potato Chips

Credit: George Crum

16. Ironing Board

Credit: Sarah Boone

17. Central Heating

Credit: Alice H. Parker

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17 Inventions You Need To Thank Black People For

In honor of Black History Month, let's take a look at all the wonderful things we might not have without black people.

In This Article:

1. The First Clock

2. Blood Banks

3. The Pacemaker

4. Home Security System

5. The Hot Comb

6. The Traffic Light

7. The Mailbox

8. 3-D Special Effects

9. Dry Cleaning

10. Telecommunications

11. Automatic Elevator Doors

12. Cooking Oil & More Peanut-Based Products

13. The Super Soaker

14. The Microphone

15. Potato Chips

16. Ironing Board

17. Central Heating

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Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1. When he just wanted bacon from his George Foreman grill

2. When he had money (and Jan) issues

3. When he got upstaged at Phyllis' wedding

4. When he unintentionally saved Meredith from rabies

5. When he wore a "bisexual" suit

6. When he had to apologize to Jesus

7. When his GPS drove him into a lake

8. When he had to deal with Ryan as his boss

9. When he couldn't fulfill his most generous empty promise

10. When this happened

11. When he struggled with a X-Mas break up

12. When he had to defend his generosity

13. When he threw a classy Christmas party for Holly but she had a boyfriend

14. When he had to stand up to peer pressure

15. When Toby was "Toby-ish"

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

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