african american inventors

"Many of the products we use every day were invented by African Americans, although these inventors unfortunately have not often been given credit for their contributions. Readers will take a fascinating look at the black men and women who have helped shape the world as we know it today with their inventions. Engaging text presents a discussion of the lives of prominent black inventors, including the struggles they dealt with in the past and continue to face today. A timeline of important dates, historical and contemporary images, and informative sidebars enhance this frequently overlooked area of history"--Provided by the publisher.

Chronicles the life and achievements of the NASA engineer and inventor, from his childhood to his accidental invention of the Super Soaker water gun.

As a kid, Lonnie Johnson liked to invent things. He often faced prejudice as an African American growing up in the segregated southern United States, but he eventually became an engineer for the US Air Force and NASA. He was working on a different invention when he came up with the idea for a new type of water gun. Johnson knew his toy was more powerful than other squirt guns---he just needed to find a way to make the Super Soaker available to kids all over the country. Learn how Johnson overcame many challenges to become a brilliant engineer and inventor.

From soil-preserving crop rotation methods and innovative beauty products to the filaments that made electric light bulbs possible and laser probes that correct cataracts, African American inventors and scientists have revolutionized daily life in the modern world. With profiles of towering figures like George Washington Carver, Madam C. J. Walker, and Mae Jemison, this inspiring collection celebrates the often unsung and little known accomplishments and innovations of African American scientists, engineers, inventors, and entrepreneurs. They overcame injustice, prejudice, and inequality of access to triumph in every American field of endeavor, from agriculture to the space program.

A biography of Lonnie Johnson, an engineer at NASA who is best know for inventing the Super Soaker water gun.

A biography of the Canadian-born black American who studied engineering in Scotland and patented over fifty inventions despite the obstacles he faced because of his race.

Lonnie Johnson was always building things. As a kid he made rockets. As a teenager he built a robot from scratch. As an adult he worked for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Galileo orbiter and probe that studied Jupiter. And then one day, while hooking up his latest invention to the bathroom sink to test it out...WHOOSH! Meet the innovative engineer who unexpectedly invented one of the most popular toys of all time - the Super Soaker.

In 1911, 146 workers died in the shocking Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City. Morgan decided to invent a safety hood for firefighters-- but people weren't interested in buying his safety hood when they discovered its inventor was black. When an explosion trapped workers in a tunnel under Lake Erie in 1916, his hoods were rushed to the scene and used to rescue as many men as possible. Developed further, Garrett's invention came to save thousands of soldiers from chlorine gas in the trenches of World War I.

Presents a biography of African American inventor Garrett Morgan, covering his childhood, his adult years, and some of his most well-known inventions. Includes a glossary, a list of additional resources, and critical thinking questions using the Common Core.

Throughout recent centuries and perhaps never more so than today brilliant and dedicated creative people of African heritage are helping to make our world better and safer with their inventions.