Tag Archives | inventor
Clatonia Joaquin Dorticus

Clatonia Joaquin Dorticus – March 19th in African American History

March 19, 1895 Clatonia Joaquin Dorticus of Newton, New Jersey received patent number 535,820 for a device for applying coloring liquids to sides of soles or heels of shoes.

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Richard Bowie Spikes – January 9th in African American History

January 9, 1923 Richard Bowie Spikes of Fort Bragg, California received patent number 1441383 for a brake testing machine. His invention tested the efficiency or power of the brake and recorded the results of the test. Little is known of Spikes’ life except that he was born December 4, 1884 and was an incredible inventor.

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Alfred L. Cralle

Alfred L. Cralle – February 2nd in African American History

February 2, 1897 Alfred L. Cralle received patent # 576,395 for a lever operated ice cream scoop, a design still widely used today. Cralle was born September 4, 1866 in Kenbridge, Virginia and as a young man became interested in mechanics. Part of his education was completed at Wayland Seminary in DC. Later, he moved […]

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Otis Frank Boykin

March 4th in African American History – Otis Frank Boykin

March 4, 1982 Otis Frank Boykin, inventor, died. Boykin was born August 29, 1920 in Dallas, Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fisk College in 1941. He pursued graduate studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology, but had to drop out after two years because he was unable to afford tuition.

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Frederick McKinley Jones

February 21st in African American History – Frederick McKinley Jones

February 21, 1961 Frederick McKinley Jones, inventor and businessman, died. Jones was born May 17, 1893 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He boosted his natural mechanical ability and inventive mind with independent reading and study.

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George Washington Carver

January 5th in African American History – George Washington Carver

January 5, 1943 George Washington Carver, scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor, died. Carver was born enslaved on July 12, 1864 in Diamond, Missouri. Carver and his family were freed after slavery was abolished. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1894 and his Master of Science degree in 1896 from Iowa State Agricultural College […]

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Lloyd Augustus Hall

January 2nd in African American History – Lloyd Augustus Hall

January 2, 1971 Lloyd Augustus Hall, chemist and inventor, died. Hall was born June 20, 1894 in Elgin, Illinois, but was raised in Aurora, Illinois. Hall earned his Bachelor of Science degree in pharmaceutical chemistry from Northwestern University in 1916 and went on to do graduate work at the University of Chicago.

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