Black Excellist: 25 Black Tech Pioneers (Part 1)

Summary

This video presentation from Black Excellency celebrates 25 groundbreaking Black pioneers in technology who overcame significant challenges to achieve remarkable success. It highlights individuals like Benjamin Baner, who created America's first wooden clock, and Ronald S. Demon, inventor of the 'smart shoe'. The video also features notable figures such as Lonnie Johnson, creator of the Super Soaker, and Granville T. Woods, known for his work combining telephone and telegraph technology. These individuals made lasting contributions to various fields, despite facing racial discrimination, demonstrating perseverance and innovation in shaping modern technology.

Takeaways

• 😀 Black tech pioneers have made significant contributions to various technological fields despite facing discrimination and challenges.
• 😀 Benjamin Banneker, a former slave, built America's first wooden clock and founded his own watch repair business.
• 😀 Ronald S. Demon invented the smart shoe, a sports shoe that automatically adapts to the wearer's pace and activities.
• 😀 Lonnie Johnson, a former NASA scientist, created the Super Soaker water gun, which became one of the most popular toys of the 1990s.
• 😀 Benjamin Bradley built a steam engine from scrap metal at the age of 16, which helped improve the speed of warships at sea.
• 😀 Norbert Rillieux revolutionized the sugar industry with his multiple-effect evaporator, which efficiently produced high-quality sugar.
• 😀 Andrew Jackson Beard invented the automatic railroad coupler, which significantly improved safety and efficiency in rail transport.
• 😀 Granville T. Woods, known as the 'Black Edison,' created a system for sending both voice and telegraph messages over a single wire.
• 😀 Garrett Morgan invented the first three-way traffic signal and a gas mask that saved lives during a tunnel explosion.
• 😀 Jan Ernst Matzeliger invented a machine that sped up shoe manufacturing by connecting leather to the inner sole, increasing efficiency by 900%.
• 😀 Many of these Black pioneers' inventions have had lasting impacts on industries such as transportation, safety, and manufacturing.

Q & A

Who was Benjamin Bancker and what was his contribution to technology?

Benjamin Bancker, the son of a slave, developed a fascination with repairing watches and created America's first wooden clock, which worked for more than 40 years. He also established his own watch and clock repair business.

What was Ronald S. Demon's innovation, and how did it impact the sports industry?

Ronald S. Demon invented an all-purpose shoe that adapts to the wearer's needs by adjusting the cushioning. His invention, the 'smart shoe,' was designed to assist athletes and was patented under VectraSend Technologies.

How did Lonnie Johnson contribute to both science and entertainment?

Lonnie Johnson, a nuclear engineer and former NASA scientist, invented the Super Soaker water gun. This toy became one of the top-selling toys of the 1990s, grossing over $1 billion in sales.

What did Benjamin Bradley invent and how did it contribute to the U.S. Navy?

Benjamin Bradley built a steam engine from scrap metal at the age of 16, which was used on warships to help them travel faster at sea. Although he could not patent his work, he sold the idea in exchange for his freedom.

How did Norbert Rillieux revolutionize the sugar industry?

Norbert Rillieux invented the multiple-effect evaporator, a device that improved sugar production by using steam efficiently to evaporate water, preventing sugar from burning or discoloring. This invention is still used in the production of various products today.

What is the significance of Andrew Jackson Beard's invention?

Andrew Jackson Beard invented an automatic railroad coupler that allowed railroad cars to be securely joined together without manual effort. This invention was crucial for improving safety in the railroad industry and led to a federal safety regulation.

What impact did Lewis Latimer have on the development of the electric light bulb?

Lewis Latimer, a draftsman for Thomas Edison, improved the carbon filament used in electric lamps. His work helped make the electric light bulb more practical and reliable for widespread use.

What was Meredith Gordin's contribution to electrical energy?

Meredith Gordin pioneered the concept of electrogas dynamics, which involves generating electrical energy from the conversion of kinetic energy in high-pressure ionized gases. He also created the incinerate system to eliminate smoke and fog in buildings and airports.

How did Jan Ernst Mattzeliger's invention change the shoe manufacturing process?

Jan Ernst Mattzeliger invented a machine that sped up the process of attaching the upper part of a shoe to the inner sole. This invention significantly increased the efficiency of shoe production by up to 900%, enhancing quality and production speed.

What were some of Garrett Morgan's safety-related inventions?

Garrett Morgan invented a non-electric three-way traffic signal that improved road safety. He also created a gas mask, which he used to save 32 men trapped in an underground explosion. Additionally, he invented a human hair straightener.

What did Granville T. Woods contribute to communications technology?

Granville T. Woods, often referred to as the 'Black Edison,' invented a telegraphy system that combined telephone and telegraph systems to send both voice and telegraph messages over a single wire. He also developed a system to help prevent train collisions.