AFRICAN AMERICAN INVENTORS ITEMS WE USE EVERYDAY By

AFRICAN AMERICAN INVENTORS ITEMS WE USE EVERYDAY By: Miyah Johnson 2 nd Grade

INTRODUCTION DID YOU KNOW? • Several African Americans have made improvements to inventions we use everyday. • What is a patent? -The government gives someone the right to make, use and sell their invention for a certain amount of time • Can you name any African American inventors?

Inventions on the Road

Inventions on the Road • Charles Brooks • During this time, streets were usually cleaned by workers with brooms. • Charles Brooks invented an improved street sweeper truck in 1896. • Garrett Morgan • He invented a traffic light in 1923. • Stoplight

Granville T. Woods • He was an inventor and engineer who worked with electricity and railroads • He had over 50 patents for his inventions • He also helped to create a system that let train operators know how close they were to other trains. This helped prevent accidents. • Granville T. Woods

Inventions for the Home

Inventions for the Home • Frederick M. Jones • John Standard • He created a new air conditioning design. • He also invented a refrigeration system for vehicles. • He created an improved refrigerator design in 1891.

George Washington Carver • He was a scientist who invented a variety of uses for peanuts • What are some different uses of peanuts? • Planting peanuts

Thomas Jennings • He was a free man who lived in New York in 1800 s. • He was the first African American to receive a patent. • He created the drycleaning process.

Alexander Miles • He invented an electric elevator in 1887. • He was not the first person to invent elevators, but his design was very important. • His design improved how we open and close elevator doors.

These African American inventors have improved inventions that we use everyday. What would our lives be like without some of these inventions?