1. Benjamin Banneker— almanac Born to freed slaves in 1731, Banneker became an astronomer, author, inventor, mathematician, and surveyor. He invented some of the most effective clocks of his time, planned out the city of Washington, D. C., and published six almanacs that each included political and social commentary, particularly advocating for the rights of slaves and free blacks.
2. Patricia Bath— laser surgical device Bath is a contemporary inventor and ophthalmologist from Harlem, New York. She is the first black female doctor to receive a medical patent. In 1986, she invented the Laserphaco Probe, which has revolutionized the treatment of cataracts.
3. Charles Drew— blood bank Drew was born in Washington, D. C. in 1904. As a surgeon, researcher, and inventor, he invented the modern blood banks. Since World War II, his invention has gone on to save thousands of lives.
4. Thomas Elkins— modern toilet In addition to other inventions, Elkins created the chamber commode in 1872. It included a mirror, washstand, mirror, and more.
5. Philip Emeagwali— world’ s fastest computer Emeagwali was born in Nigeria in 1954. Although he came of age during a brutal civil war, he earned many advanced degrees including a Ph. D. in scientific computing. In 1989, he created the world’ s fastest computer.
6. Frederick Jones— refrigeration machine Jones was a self-taught engineer with a number of important inventions. His most notable invention was a refrigeration machine used to transport blood, food, and medicine during World War II.
7. Lewis Latimer— light bulb Born in 1848 to runaway slaves, Latimer became an inventor and engineer. In addition to his invention of one of the earliest air conditioning units, he assisted in the development of some of the world’ s most important inventions, including the light bulb and the telephone.
8. Alexander Miles— improved elevator Known as“ the wealthiest colored man in the Northwest,” Miles created an automatic device to open and close elevator doors. Because of his invention, we are able to enjoy this modern luxury.
9. Garrett Morgan— traffic light, gas mask Born in Kentucky in 1877, Morgan is the inventor of something many utilize every day, the traffic signal. He created this after witnessing so many accidents on busy urban intersections. In addition to this, he created the gas mask which grew in popularity when it was used to aid workers after an underground explosion.
10. Daniel Hale Williams— pioneer of open heart surgery Williams was born in Pennsylvania in 1856. He would go on to become a physician and surgeon. In 1891, he founded the first integrated hospital, and just two years later, he 11 became the first person to successfully complete open-heart surgery.