Honoring Juneteenth: Celebrating the Innovation of Black Inventors After Emancipation
In commemorating Juneteenth, we honor not only the end of slavery but also acknowledge the wave of innovation and resilience that followed. The conclusion of the Civil War and the ratification of the 13th and 14th Amendments granted Black Americans, including formerly enslaved individuals, the right to secure patents for their inventions.
Previously, the U.S. Attorney General issued an opinion titled Invention of a Slave, determining that a slave owner could not obtain a patent for an invention created by an enslaved person. Since the slave owner was not the actual inventor, he could not lawfully swear an oath as the inventor, and enslaved individuals were not permitted to take oaths at that time. One notable patent rejection by the USPTO was that of Jefferson Davis, who would later serve as President of the Confederate States of America.
This newfound legal recognition sparked a surge of creativity across the nation. Black inventors unleashed a flood of innovative ideas. By 1895, the USPTO even hosted a special exhibition showcasing black inventors’ innovations.
The types of patents filed by Black Americans in the post-war era reflected their occupational roles and areas of expertise. Many were focused on mechanics, agricultural tools, domestic aids, and innovations linked to the railroad industry. Others emerged from entrepreneurial ventures such as barbershops, restaurants, and tailoring businesses.
Joseph Lee, a self-proclaimed “bread specialist” that operated a successful catering business and restaurant invented machines for bread-making and bread-crumbing that revolutionized food preparation.
Alexander Ashbourn also received multiple patents in the 1870s related to food production, particularly items derived from coconuts. His innovations later expanded into goods like tooth powder, ink, vinegar, and soap.
Henry A. Bowman improved methods of production and launched a business producing awnings, tents, canvas covers, and flags.
R.N. Hyde, of Virginia, established a janitorial service in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1880 and developed an electric carpet cleaning machine and a range of cleaning compounds.
Julia Hammonds received a patent for a knitting device that would hold and wind fibers easily, allowing for solo knitting.
Sarah E. Good was awarded a patent for a folding cabinet bed, which was a precursor to the modern Murphy bed.
Joseph Dickinson designed his own version of the reed organ and invented components for self-playing pianos.
Their stories are a small part of the enduring legacy of Black ingenuity that flourished in emancipation’s wake. The achievements of these early Black inventors, men and women who turned adversity into innovation, laid the groundwork for generations of creators and entrepreneurs. By recognizing their contributions, we deepen our appreciation for the transformative impact of Black Americans on the fabric of American innovation and attempt to honor the century of innovation for which no credit was given.