17 Inventions You Need To Thank Black People For | The Odyssey Online
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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.

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17 Inventions You Need To Thank Black People For

In This Article:

Many of us walk through life taking every day things for granted. We never stop to appreciate how these things came about or who we have to thank for it. This list acknowledges some of these things, and warrants a thank you to all of their creators.

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

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

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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