Black History Month: Clarifying Misconceptions About African American Inventions
I've been meaning to do a post on this.
Let’s begin by acknowledging the immense contributions African Americans have made throughout history. From the 1800s to the 1900s, Black inventors and scientists played pivotal roles in advancing numerous technologies and innovations. However, during Black History Month, some of the narratives that circulate are often riddled with half-truths, fabrications, and in some cases, outright falsehoods.
First, Dr. Joseph Jackson. Contrary to claims circulating social media, he did not invent the first remote control. In fact, I have found no credible sources or articles that even mention him in connection with this invention. The development of the remote control cannot be attributed to a single individual. Some might point to Nikola Tesla, who created a device using radio waves to control a boat, but even Tesla was not the first to experiment with radio wave technology. Two decades earlier, German engineer Werner von Siemens had already demonstrated the transmission of signals using electromagnetic waves. As for the television remote control, Robert Adler and Eugene Polley are widely credited with inventing the first practical version, known as the "Lazy Bones," for Zenith Electronics in the 1950s. I'm not sure what Dr. Joseph Jackson invented. Perhaps, he developed a specific feature or improvement related to remote control technology, but he certainly did not invent the device itself.
Henry Brown is said to be credited with inventing the first fireproof strongbox. This claim, however, is misleading. While Brown did patent a fireproof strongbox in 1886 (U.S. Patent No. 338,381), he was not the first to create such a device. Fireproof strongboxes had already been in use for decades prior to his patent. Companies like Wells Fargo utilized fireproof safes to transport gold and valuables during the California Gold Rush in the mid-1800s. Charles Chubb, a British locksmith, was one of the pioneers in this field, and his fireproof safes were among the most popular during that era. James Sargent also patented a fireproof safe design years before Brown’s patent. To be fair, one could argue Brown’s patent did contribute to improving the durability and functionality of strongboxes, but he was not the originator of the concept.
Granville T. Woods, often referred to as the "Black Edison." His genius and contributions are undeniable. However, he did not invent the telephone. Woods did patent an improvement to the telephone in 1882, a device known as the induction telegraph system, which was intended to improve voice transmission over telegraph wires. This patent was later purchased by Alexander Graham Bell. Bell, along with Thomas Watson, are credited with patenting the telephone in 1876. However, the invention of the telephone was not the work of a single individual. Decades before Bell, Charles Bourseul, a French inventor, had published theories on transmitting voice using electricity and developed an early electromagnetic microphone, which influenced later designs. In fact, France recognizes Bourseul as the inventor of the telephone.
Garrett Morgan is said to have invented the gas mask. While Morgan did create a safety hood in 1914 designed to protect firefighters from smoke, it was a relatively simple device made of cotton with two long tubes to allow breathing in smoke-filled environments. This invention was not comparable to the advanced gas masks used during World War I and World War II. In fact, Lewis Phectic Haslett had patented a basic but functional gas mask as early as 1849, over 60 years before Morgan’s design. Over time, gas masks evolved, particularly during WWI and WWII.
The reason I wrote this is that it's important to base statements on facts and avoid saying things that sound appealing but are inaccurate.
Let’s begin by acknowledging the immense contributions African Americans have made throughout history. From the 1800s to the 1900s, Black inventors and scientists played pivotal roles in advancing numerous technologies and innovations. However, during Black History Month, some of the narratives that circulate are often riddled with half-truths, fabrications, and in some cases, outright falsehoods.
First, Dr. Joseph Jackson. Contrary to claims circulating social media, he did not invent the first remote control. In fact, I have found no credible sources or articles that even mention him in connection with this invention. The development of the remote control cannot be attributed to a single individual. Some might point to Nikola Tesla, who created a device using radio waves to control a boat, but even Tesla was not the first to experiment with radio wave technology. Two decades earlier, German engineer Werner von Siemens had already demonstrated the transmission of signals using electromagnetic waves. As for the television remote control, Robert Adler and Eugene Polley are widely credited with inventing the first practical version, known as the "Lazy Bones," for Zenith Electronics in the 1950s. I'm not sure what Dr. Joseph Jackson invented. Perhaps, he developed a specific feature or improvement related to remote control technology, but he certainly did not invent the device itself.
Henry Brown is said to be credited with inventing the first fireproof strongbox. This claim, however, is misleading. While Brown did patent a fireproof strongbox in 1886 (U.S. Patent No. 338,381), he was not the first to create such a device. Fireproof strongboxes had already been in use for decades prior to his patent. Companies like Wells Fargo utilized fireproof safes to transport gold and valuables during the California Gold Rush in the mid-1800s. Charles Chubb, a British locksmith, was one of the pioneers in this field, and his fireproof safes were among the most popular during that era. James Sargent also patented a fireproof safe design years before Brown’s patent. To be fair, one could argue Brown’s patent did contribute to improving the durability and functionality of strongboxes, but he was not the originator of the concept.
Granville T. Woods, often referred to as the "Black Edison." His genius and contributions are undeniable. However, he did not invent the telephone. Woods did patent an improvement to the telephone in 1882, a device known as the induction telegraph system, which was intended to improve voice transmission over telegraph wires. This patent was later purchased by Alexander Graham Bell. Bell, along with Thomas Watson, are credited with patenting the telephone in 1876. However, the invention of the telephone was not the work of a single individual. Decades before Bell, Charles Bourseul, a French inventor, had published theories on transmitting voice using electricity and developed an early electromagnetic microphone, which influenced later designs. In fact, France recognizes Bourseul as the inventor of the telephone.
Garrett Morgan is said to have invented the gas mask. While Morgan did create a safety hood in 1914 designed to protect firefighters from smoke, it was a relatively simple device made of cotton with two long tubes to allow breathing in smoke-filled environments. This invention was not comparable to the advanced gas masks used during World War I and World War II. In fact, Lewis Phectic Haslett had patented a basic but functional gas mask as early as 1849, over 60 years before Morgan’s design. Over time, gas masks evolved, particularly during WWI and WWII.
The reason I wrote this is that it's important to base statements on facts and avoid saying things that sound appealing but are inaccurate.
22-25VIP
