Black Inventors and Inventions
African Americans have been prolific inventors and innovators. We have gathered on this page profiles of some of the most significant Black Inventors in the United State as well as some inventors of African Ancestry abroad. The main tabs show inventors and the dates of their first patents. Other tabs show inventors who did not receive patents and inventors outside the United States. This list will grow. If you think there are inventors who should be on this page please contact us at BP@blackpast.org.
First Elijah McCoy Patent (US Patent No. 129843) for Improvements in Lubricators for Steam-Engines, July 28, 1872
Pre-Civil War
1861-1900
1901-1960
Date of First U.S. Patent: