Black Excellist: 10 Black Women Inventors

Summary

This video highlights the contributions of 10 African-American women inventors whose innovations transformed the world. It celebrates pioneers like Patricia Bath, who revolutionized eye surgery with her laser technology, and Marie Van Brittain Brown, creator of the first home security system. Other inventors include Miriam Benjamin, Sarah Good, and Marjorie Stewart Joiner, whose inventions ranged from hotel signal chairs to folding beds and beauty tools. Through these stories, the video emphasizes the ingenuity, resilience, and impact of Black women on both the past and present.

Takeaways

• 👩‍⚕️ Patricia Bath was a pioneering ophthalmologist who invented the Laserphaco Probe, becoming the first African-American female doctor to patent a medical device.
• 🔐 Marie Van Brittain Brown developed the first home security system with a camera, two-way microphone, and remote control doors, laying the foundation for modern surveillance systems.
• 💺 Miriam Benjamin invented the Hotel Signal Chair, which allowed hotel guests to summon waiters with a button and light signal, enhancing customer service in the hospitality industry.
• 🛏️ Sarah E. Good, the first African-American woman to receive a patent, created the folding cabinet bed, a space-saving innovation for small living spaces.
• 💇‍♀️ Marjorie Stewart Joyner revolutionized the beauty industry with her Perfect Wave Machine, which allowed for multiple hair sections to be curled simultaneously, speeding up the hair straightening process.
• 🍞 Judy Reid's Dough Kneader and Roller improved the process of making bread by evenly mixing dough and keeping it clean, though her authorship as the first African-American female patent holder is disputed due to her signature with an 'X'.
• 👗 Sarah Boone enhanced the ironing process with her curved ironing board, designed specifically for the sleeves and waist seams of women's garments, making ironing easier and more efficient.
• 👕 Ellen Craft's Clothes Ringer made wringing out wet clothes less labor-intensive by using a roller mechanism, though she sold her patent for a minimal sum due to racial concerns at the time.
• 🪒 L. Newman's innovative hairbrush design featured evenly spaced bristles and a compartment for debris, promoting hygiene and efficiency in hair care.
• 🔥 Alice H. Parker's central heating system using natural gas was a safer and more efficient way to heat homes, reducing the need for wood and lowering the risk of house fires.

Q & A

Who is Patricia Bath and what is her significant invention?

Patricia Bath was a pioneering ophthalmologist who invented the Laserphaco Probe in 1986, a device that uses laser technology for a less painful and precise treatment of cataracts. She was the first African-American female doctor to hold a patent for a medical device.

What was Marie Van Brittain Brown's contribution to home security?

Marie Van Brittain Brown invented the first home security system, which included a camera, monitors, a two-way microphone, and an alarm button to contact the police. Her invention laid the foundation for modern surveillance systems.

Why did Miriam Benjamin invent the Signal Chair?

Miriam Benjamin invented the Signal Chair to allow hotel guests to summon waiters without having to leave their seats or call out loudly. It featured a buzzer button and a light signal to alert waitstaff.

How did Sarah Good's Folding Cabinet Bed address space constraints in small apartments?

Sarah Good's Folding Cabinet Bed was designed to maximize space in small apartments by providing a bed that could be concealed within a rolltop desk, thus serving dual purposes and saving space.

What was Marjorie Stewart Joyner's innovation in the field of cosmetology?

Marjorie Stewart Joyner invented the 'Perfect Wave Machine,' a device that used multiple rods to create curls or waves in hair simultaneously, revolutionizing the hair straightening process for African-American women.

What problem did Judy Reid's Dough Kneader address, and how did it improve the process?

Judy Reid's Dough Kneader improved the process of mixing dough by evenly distributing the ingredients through two rollers with corrugated slats, making it easier and more efficient than traditional kneading methods.

How did Sarah E. Goode's invention of the improved ironing board make ironing easier for women?

Sarah E. Goode's improved ironing board was designed with a narrow and curved shape to fit the sleeves and bodies of women's garments, making it easier to iron these curved and slim areas.

What was the purpose of Ellen Craft's Clothes Ringer, and how did it change laundry practices?

Ellen Craft's Clothes Ringer was a machine with two rollers that pressed water out of clothes, making the laundry process more efficient and less labor-intensive than traditional hand-wringing methods.

What was the innovative feature of L. Newman's hairbrush design?

L. Newman's hairbrush featured evenly spaced bristles with open slots to guide debris away from the hair into a compartment, and a back that could be opened for cleaning, promoting both efficiency and hygiene.

How did Alice Parker's central heating system using natural gas revolutionize home heating?

Alice Parker's central heating system used natural gas to heat air, which was then distributed through ducts to individual rooms, providing a more efficient and safer heating method compared to traditional fireplaces or coal-based systems.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Black Women Inventors: Celebrating Excellence

The video script introduces a presentation from Black Excellence, a platform dedicated to showcasing the achievements of African-Americans, with a focus on the ingenuity and creativity of black women inventors. The video aims to inspire viewers by highlighting the contributions of these women, who are often overlooked in history books. The presentation features 10 African-American women inventors whose inventions have had a significant impact on the world.

05:00

👩‍⚕️ Patricia Bath: Pioneer in Ophthalmology

The first inventor featured is Patricia Bath, a pioneering ophthalmologist. Born in Harlem, New York, in 1942, Bath was encouraged by her parents to pursue academic interests. She earned her bachelor's degree from Hunter College and her medical degree from Howard University. Bath's research at Columbia University led to the discovery of racial disparities in blindness and glaucoma, motivating her to invent the Laserphaco Probe, a medical device for cataract treatment using laser technology. She became the first African-American female doctor to hold a patent for a medical device in 1988. Bath also pioneered community ophthalmology and co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness.

10:01

🔐 Marie Van Brittain Brown: Pioneer in Surveillance Systems

Marie Van Brittain Brown, born in Queens, New York, in 1922, was a nurse and the wife of an electronics technician. Concerned about the high crime rate and slow police response times, Brown invented the first home security system, which included a camera, monitors, a two-way microphone, and an alarm button. This invention laid the foundation for modern surveillance systems. Brown and her husband filed for a patent in 1966, and it was granted in 1969. Her invention earned her recognition from the National Scientist Committee and an interview with the New York Times.

15:02

💺 Miriam Benjamin: Inventor of the Signal Chair

Miriam Benjamin, born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1861, invented the Gong and Signal Chair for hotels. The chair featured a buzzer button and a light signal to alert waiters without the need for guests to call out or ring a bell. Benjamin received a patent for her invention in 1888, making her the second African-American woman to receive a patent in the United States. Despite her success, her invention was later copied without proper credit, and she became a solicitor of patents, advocating for innovation.

🛏️ Sarah Goode: Inventor of the Folding Cabinet Bed

Sarah Goode, born enslaved in 1850, invented the folding cabinet bed to address the space constraints faced by working-class people living in small apartments. The bed could be concealed within a rolltop desk, providing both sleeping and writing spaces. Goode was granted a patent for her invention in 1885, making her the first African-American woman to receive a patent for an invention. Her folding cabinet bed is considered the predecessor to the modern Murphy bed.

💇‍♀️ Marjorie Stewart Joyner: Pioneer in Cosmetology

Marjorie Stewart Joyner, born in 1896, was a cosmetologist who invented the permanent wave machine, which allowed for multiple hair sections to be curled simultaneously. Joyner's invention revolutionized hair straightening and was used widely in salons. Despite her contributions, she did not receive substantial compensation for her inventions, which were assigned to Madame C.J. Walker. Joyner continued to innovate in the beauty industry and was also a women's rights activist.

🍞 Judy Reid: Inventor of the Dough Kneader and Roller

Judy Reid, born during the time of slavery, invented an improved dough kneader and roller in 1884. Her device featured two rollers with corrugated slats and a covered receptacle for even dough mixing and protection. Reid's invention was patented, but due to her inability to write her name, she signed with an 'X'. This technicality has led to some debate over her recognition as the first African-American female patent holder.

👗 Sarah E. Goode: Improver of the Ironing Board

Sarah E. Goode, born in 1832, invented an improved ironing board to make the ironing of female garments easier. Her design featured a narrow, curved board that fit the shape of a female sleeve and was reversible for ironing both sides. Goode's invention was patented in 1892, and her ironing board design is considered a precursor to modern ironing boards.

👕 Ellen Craft: Inventor of the Clothes Ringer

Ellen Craft, born in 1849, invented the clothes ringer, a machine that used rollers to wring water out of clothes, making the washing process more efficient. Craft sold her patent to a white person for $18, fearing that her race would deter potential buyers. Despite this, her invention is still in use today and was featured in 'Woman Inventor' magazine.

🪒 L. Newman: Inventor of a New Style Hairbrush

L. Newman, born in 1885, was a hairdresser and women's rights activist who invented an improved hairbrush design. Her hairbrush featured evenly spaced bristles with open slots for debris and a compartment for easy cleaning. Newman was granted a patent for her invention in 1898 and continued to advocate for women's rights throughout her life.

🔥 Alice Parker: Inventor of Central Heating Using Natural Gas

Alice Parker, born in 1895, invented a central heating system using natural gas, which was more efficient and safer than traditional methods. Her system drew cool air into the furnace, heated it, and distributed it through ducts to individual rooms. Parker's invention, patented in 1919, paved the way for modern natural gas heating systems and contributed to energy conservation.

Keywords

💡Black Excellence

Black Excellence refers to the celebration and recognition of the achievements, contributions, and ingenuity of Black individuals, particularly in fields where they have historically been underrepresented. In this video, the focus is on highlighting the groundbreaking inventions by Black women, demonstrating their excellence in various scientific, technical, and entrepreneurial fields.

💡African-American Women Inventors

This concept focuses on the contributions of African-American women who have created significant inventions that transformed industries and improved everyday life. The video centers around 10 such women, including Patricia Bath and Marie Van Brittain Brown, who invented devices in medicine and home security, respectively.

💡Patricia Bath

Patricia Bath was a pioneering African-American ophthalmologist and inventor. She is notable for inventing the laserphaco probe, which revolutionized cataract surgery, making it less painful and more precise. Her contributions, as discussed in the video, significantly impacted modern eye care and she was the first African-American female doctor to hold a patent for a medical device.

💡Marie Van Brittain Brown

Marie Van Brittain Brown was the inventor of the first home security system, which became the foundation for modern surveillance technologies. Her invention included cameras, microphones, and an alarm system to improve safety and security, particularly in areas with slow police response times, as explained in the video.

💡Community Ophthalmology

Community Ophthalmology is a concept introduced by Patricia Bath, which involves providing accessible eye care to underserved communities. This approach was revolutionary in offering eye health services to populations at higher risk for blindness, particularly African-Americans. The video highlights Bath’s efforts in co-founding the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness.

💡Signal Chair

The Signal Chair was an invention by Miriam Benjamin, designed to improve service in hotels by allowing customers to signal waitstaff through a button that triggered a buzzer and light. This invention reduced labor costs and enhanced customer convenience, serving as a precursor to the modern flight attendant call button.

💡Home Security System

Marie Van Brittain Brown invented the first home security system, integrating cameras, microphones, and remote control features to improve home safety. The system addressed issues like slow police response and high crime rates in her neighborhood, revolutionizing personal and public security technologies.

💡Folding Cabinet Bed

The Folding Cabinet Bed, invented by Sarah Good, was designed to save space in small apartments by combining a bed with a foldable desk. This practical invention was a precursor to modern space-saving furniture like Murphy beds and was targeted at working-class families with limited living space.

💡Permanent Wave Machine

Marjorie Stewart Joiner invented the Permanent Wave Machine, which allowed for faster and more comfortable hair curling processes by using multiple rods to curl the hair simultaneously. Her invention was revolutionary in the beauty industry, and though she didn't receive full compensation for it, it benefited both Black and white clients.

💡Central Heating

Alice H. Parker is credited with inventing a central heating system that used natural gas instead of coal or wood, making homes warmer and safer in winter. Her system allowed for the distribution of warm air through ducts to various rooms, which greatly improved heating efficiency and is the basis for modern heating systems.

Highlights

Introduction to the presentation highlighting 10 black women inventors.

Mission of Black Excellence to inspire and enlighten about African-American contributions.

Importance of recognizing the impact of black women pioneers, entrepreneurs, and inventors.

Patricia Bath, a pioneer in Ophthalmology, invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment.

Marie Van Brittain Brown, known for creating the first home security system.

Miriam Benjamin's invention of the Signal Chair for hotels improved customer service.

Sarah E. Good, the first African-American woman to receive a patent, for her folding cabinet bed.

Marjorie Stewart Joyner's invention of the permanent wave machine revolutionized cosmetology.

Judy Reid's improved design of the dough kneader and roller patented in 1884.

Sarah Boone's innovative ironing board design made ironing easier and more efficient.

Ellen Craft's clothes ringer invention made the laundry process more efficient.

L. Newman's hairbrush design improved hygiene and efficiency in hairdressing.

Alice Parker's central heating system using natural gas was a significant innovation in home heating.

The presentation concludes with a call to like and subscribe for more inspiring content.

Transcripts

[Music]

hello and welcome back in this black

excellis presentation we will highlight

10 black women inventors welcome to

Black excellence.com the site where we

share black Excellence opulence and

affluence our mission is to inspire you

as we Enlighten you we here at black

excellus specialized in Illuminating the

experience and contributions of

African-Americans which is the

foundation of our Channel we are

particularly keen on pointing out the

Ingenuity Innovation and creativity of

black women who have transformed this

world in ways that few can believe it is

essential for the black community as

well as White America to understand the

impact of black women Pioneers

entrepreneurs and inventors from our

past our aspiring grade school student

will not read much about these women in

the history books so we hope you take

the time to celebrate these trou Blazers

who may Inspire them and help Propel

their dreams forward in this original

black excellus video we will be

featuring 10 African-American women

whose inventions changed the world so

without further Ado let's get started

number one Patricia baath Pioneer in

Opthalmology Patricia Bath's name is

associated with many amazing feats and

pioneering works from childhood till her

death in 2019 baath was born to rert

Bath and Gladis bath on November 4th

1942 in Harlem New York although her

parents were not rich they encouraged

her to pursue academic interests and

explore new cultures her interest in

science peaked when she got a chemistry

set as a gift she worked hard in her

academic Pursuits and made discoveries

that earned her the madel's magazine

Merit award in

1960 Beth earned her bachelor's degree

from Hunter College in 1964 and her

medical degree with honors from Howard

University in

1968 Beth began to pursue a fellowship

in Opthalmology at Colombia University

during the course of her studies there

she discovered that African-Americans

were twice as likely to suffer from

blindness and eight times more likely to

suffer from glaucoma these findings

motivated her to invent devices and

systems to change the outcomes one of

her brilliant inventions is the laser

Foo probe for which she became the first

African-American female doctor to hold a

patent for a medical device the device

which was completed in 1986 provided a

less painful and precise treatment of

cataracts using Laser Technology and she

received the patent for it in 1988 with

the device bath was able to restore the

sight of people with about 30 years of

blindness thus pionering laser eye

surgery is known today she also

pioneered Community Opthalmology Clinic

during her residency years and

co-founded the American Institute for

the prevention of blindness in

1976 which established that eyesight is

a basic human right Beth won many

prestigious Awards in her lifetime and

continued to advocate for Innovation and

tele medicine number two Marie Van

Brittain Brown Pioneer in surveillance

systems Brown was born in Queens New

York on October 22nd 1922 she worked as

a nurse and was married to Albert Brown

an Electronics technician the crime rate

in their neighborhood was high and

police response time was slow coupled

with the unfixed hours of the police

force pushed Marie to look for ways to

increase the level of personal security

in her home she needed to create a

system that would allow her to know who

was at her home and contact relevant

authorities as quickly as possible that

idea birthed the invention of the first

home security system and the Bas of

modern surveillance systems remote

control doors and push button alarms

Brown security system comprised of PES a

camera monitors a two-way microphone and

an alarm button that could be pressed to

contact the police immediately the pee

Poes were placed at three levels on the

front door the top one for tall persons

the middle one for people of average

height and the bottom one for children a

camera was mounted at the opposite side

of the door with the ability to slide up

and down through the pee Poes and

project the image on a monitor through a

wireless system the microphone was to

enable her to speak to the person at the

door and the person could speak back if

the person was perceived as an intruder

the alarm button will alert the Police

at once but if the person was a friend

the door could be opened by remote

control Marie and Albert Brown filed for

a patn on August 1st 1966 under the

title home security system utiliz in

television surveillance and it was

granted on December 2nd 1969 Brown's

invention gained her well-deserved

recognition including an award from the

national scientist committee and an

interview with the New York Times on

December 6th 1969 Brown resided in New

York with her family of three until her

death on February 2nd

1999 number three Miriam Benjamin

inventor of the signal chair Miriam

Benjamin was born as a free person on

September 16th 1861 to parents Francis

and Eliza Benjamin in Charleston South

Carolina her family moved to Boston

Massachusetts with a hope for better

schooling she attended High School in

Boston then moved to Washington DC where

she worked as a school teacher and a

federal clerk she later enrolled into

Howard University law school while

Miriam worked as a school teacher she

invented the Hong and Signal chair for

hotels she thought thought of a way to

get the attention of the waiters in a

hotel from the comfort of your chair the

chair had two components a buzzer button

and a light signal when the button is

pressed it would Buzz at the waiter

station and a light on the chair would

let the waiter know who wanted service

in her patent notes she said the chair

would serve to reduce the expense of

hotels by decreasing the number of

waiters and attendance to add to the

convenience and comfort of guests and to

obviate the necessity of hand claing or

calling aloud to obtain the services of

pages Miriam received patent for her

invention in 1888 making her the second

African-American woman to receive a

patent in the United States she lobbied

to have her chair adopted by the United

States House of Representatives but they

eventually installed a copycat version

of hers that she didn't get credit for

Miriam became a solicitor of patents and

moved back to Boston in 1920 to live

with her mother and work for her brother

Edgar Pinkerton Benjamin a noted

attorney Benjamin's invention was the

precursor to the flight attendant call

Button a key tool for customer service

in the airline industry number four

Sarah good inventor of the folding

cabinet bed Sarah good was born enslaved

in 1850 and received no form of formal

education while growing up after

receiving her Freedom at the end of the

Civil War good moved to Chicago with her

husband archal who was a carpenter she

became an entrepreneur and together with

her husband they owned a furniture store

Sarah realized that many of her

customers were workingclass people who

lived in small apartments and didn't

have enough space for many Furniture

sometimes including beds she thought of

her way to utilize such small space

while providing the comfort of a bed as

well thus she invented the folding

cabinet bed the folding cabinet bed

comprised of a bed which could be

concealed when not in use to serve as a

rolltop desk with compartments for

stationer and other writing supplies

this invention made her customers have

both the comfort of a bed in their home

and the luxury of a desk for writing

activities the bed attached to the

cabinet was wide enough to accommodate

two adults or an adult and two children

the folding cabinet bed was a timely and

satisfying invention and is the

predecessor to the modern-day Murphy bed

good was granted a patent for her

invention on July 14th 1885 by the uned

United States patent and trademark

office this made her the first

African-American woman in history to

receive a patent for an invention she

died in 1905 at the age of 55 years

number five marjerie Stewart jiner

Pioneer in cosmetology marjerie Stewart

jorer was born on October 24th 1896 in

Monterey Virginia she moved to Chicago

and began studying cosmetology at the ab

Moher Beauty School in 1912 in 1916 she

became the first African-American

graduate of the school that same year at

the age of 20 she got married to Robert

E Joiner a podiatrist and opened her

Salon in Chicago Joiner met another

influential Beautician and businesswoman

who ran several beauty schools in the

country Madame CJ Walker in 1920 Joiner

joined the CJ Walker beauty colleges as

the national supervisor in the early

1920s African-American women were

accustomed to straightening their hair

with very hot curling irons this process

was slow and uncomfortable because only

one iron could be used at a time this

made Joiner think of ways to improve on

this method one day while making a pot

roast in her kitchen joyo looked at the

roast which was being held together and

heated with several thin long rods from

within she envisioned a similar system

that would use several rods hung above

the client's head which could roll

several portions of the hair at once

then they could be heated up to produce

a permanent wave or curl into her hair

for a few days in 1926 she began

experimenting until she achieved a

feasible prototype she received a US

patent for her invention the perfect

wave machine in 1928 the following year

she invented a scal protector to make

the curling process more comfortable for

the clients however the patents for both

products products were assigned to Madam

Walker and Joiner didn't receive any

substantial compensation for her

inventions which is very unfortunate her

inventions were used in many salons on

both black and white clients and she

continued to create systems to uphold

the standards of beauticians in the

country in 1973 she was awarded a

bachelor's degree in Psychology from

bethon cookman college in Daytona Beach

she remained dedicated to community

service and died in 1994

number six Judy Reid inventor of the Don

needer en roller Judy Reid was born

during the time of slavery therefore

there is no proper documentation

available in regards to her birth and

childhood however it was discovered that

she lived in Washington DC when it was

unlawful for enslaved people to be

taught how to read and write and would

be harshly punished or killed if caught

learning or teaching in January 1884

Reed applied for a patent on her d and

roller the device was an improved design

on existing ders her device comprised of

two rollers corrugated slats a covered

receptacle this device allowed dough to

mix evenly as it progressed between the

two rollers carved with corrugated slats

that would act as kneers then the dough

passed into a covered receptacle to keep

it clean and protected the patent was

granted September 23rd 1884 to a person

who signed X for this this donater en

roller It is believed that Judy Reed

signed X because she was unable to spell

her name or write this technicality is

the reason why Reed is not officially

recognized as the first African-American

female patent holder number seven Sarah

Boon improve the ironing board Sarah

Boon was born as Sarah Marshall In 1832

in Craven County North Carolina in 1847

at age 15 she married Jane Boon in New

Burn North Carolina before the Civil War

she and her husband moved to New Haven

Connecticut she worked as a dress maker

while her husband was a brick mason as a

dress maker and a mother of eight

children Boon found ironing of female

sleeves and garments difficult to iron

because they were curved and slim

ironing in that period was done on

either a pair of chairs or across a flat

surface with an iron heated over a stove

or fire this was usually done in the

kitchen because of the proximity to the

stove or fire Boon invented an

improvement to the already existing

ironing boards her board was designed to

be effective in ironing sleeves and

bodies of female garments the board was

narrow and curved which was the fit of a

female sleeve in that period the board

was reversible thereby making it easier

to iron both sides of the sleeves it was

also suited for ironing curved waist

seams of garments in her patent

application Boon stated that the purpose

of her invention was to produce a cheap

simple convenient and highly effective

device particularly adapted to be used

in ironing the sleeves and bodies of

ladies garments Boon's ironing board was

granted patent on April 26th 1892 Boon

passed away in

1904 number eight Ellen egin inventure

of the clothes ringer Ellen egund was

born in 1849 in Washington DC where she

lived through her childhood and adult

years while living in DC eglan worked as

a housekeeper and a government clerk

washing clothes at this time was only

done by hand and ringing out the clothes

and drying them was also done by hand

Ellen realized that there had to be a

better way to ring water out of the

clothes so she put her mind to work and

came up with an invention that changed

the process of washing and made it very

efficient and comfortable she called it

the clothes ringer in the 1800s egund

invented a clothes Rinker which was a

machine that comprised of two rollers in

a frame that was connected to a crank

the clothes would be placed in between

the two rollers and as the crank was

turned the clothes would have the water

pressed out of them she applied for

patent and was granted however egund

sold her patent to a white person who

was interested in manufacturing the

product for a token of $18 in 1890 she

was featured in the April issue of the

woman inventure magazine where she was

asked the reason for selling her patent

and she replied saying you know I am

black and if it was known that a negro

woman patented The Invention white

ladies would not buy the ringer I was

afraid to be known because of my color

and having it introduced to the market

that is the only reason the buyer of the

patent went ahead to produce the product

and made considerable Financial rewards

for it egin's ringer is still being used

today number nine L Newman inventor of a

new style of hairbrush L Newman was born

in Ohio in 1885 but she lived in Ohio

until the late 1890s when according to

the official census record she became a

New York City resident Newman was a

hairdresser by trade and also a women's

right activist she fought alongside

well-known women's suffrage activice for

women's right to vote as a hairdresser

Newman thought of ways to improve her

business and came up with an improved

hairbrush Design This was a period when

women were becoming self-aware and

standing up for their rights and Newman

not only brought Revolution as an

activist she also designed hairdressing

products that added to the ease of women

in 1898 Newman applied for a United

States patent for a new style of

hairbrush her hairbrush design included

features that promoted efficiency and

hygiene the bristles were evenly spaced

in rows with open slots to guide debris

away from the hair into a compartment

and a back that could be opened at the

touch of a button for cleaning out the

compartment the hairbrush was not only

efficient it was also stylish Newman was

granted the patent for her hairbrush on

November 15th 1898 in the 1920s Newman

headed a group in her neighborhood that

created awareness about women's right to

vote Newman continued to fight for

women's rights and worked as a

hairdresser to a private family

throughout her adulthood number 10 Alice

H Parker inventor of the central heating

using natural gas Alice Parker was born

in 1895 in morrist toown New Jersey she

had her early childhood education in New

Jersey before relocating to Washington

DC she attended classes at the Howard

University Academy which was a high

school affiliated to Howard University

she earned a certificate with honors

from the academy in 1910 growing up in

New Jersey the winters were harsh and

Alice felt like her fireplace was not

effective enough in warming her home

through the cold Winters this prompted

her to design a more efficient way of

supplying heat during Winters she is

credited with the invention of the

central heating using natural gas

Parker's central heating system allowed

cool air to be drawn into the furnace

then conveyed through a heat exchanger

that delivered warm air through ducks to

individual rooms of a house house her

invention was convenient and decreased

the need for people to go outside to

chop or cut wood during Winters it also

decreased the risk of house fires

associated with fireplaces although the

concept of central heating was already

around before Parker's birth her design

was cutting edge because it made use of

natural gas instead of coal or wood like

others her invention paved way for the

use of Natural Gas and energy

conservation in central heating system

sys that we have in our homes today

Parker was granted United States patent

for her invention on December 23rd

199 we appreciate the fact that you

stayed with us until the end thank you

for spending time with us and don't

forget to like this video also make sure

you subscribe so that you never miss a

video bye for now we will see you

tomorrow

[Music]