National Inventors Day: Celebrating the Contributions of Black Inventors

Every year on February 11th, we celebrate National Inventors Day to honor the individuals who have made significant contributions to our world through their inventions and innovations. While we often think of famous inventors like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, it’s important to also recognize and celebrate the contributions of black inventors.

Black inventors have played a vital role in shaping our society and improving our daily lives, yet their contributions are often overlooked and underrepresented in history textbooks and mainstream media. From the traffic light to the refrigerator, black inventors have patented countless life-changing inventions that we use every day. This makes children’s books like Have You Thanked an Inventor Today extremely important. They help to bridge the information gap by highlighting  Black inventors who’s genius not only contributed to the landscape of America, but the entire world!

One notable black inventor is Henry T. Sampson. His invention, the gamma-electric cell, is the foundational element that allows cell phones to work! Other inventors like Lyda Newman and Sarah Boone helped to make our lives a bit easier by inventing practical items like the hairbrush and the ironing board. Then there are those inventors that have made our lives more fun. Can we say thank you to George Crum for his invention of the potato chip?

It should also be noted that the contributions of black inventors extend beyond just the physical inventions themselves. By virtue of their existence, Black inventors have played a significant role in breaking down barriers and challenging societal norms. This is why recognizing and celebrating the contributions of black inventors is important; not only for historical accuracy, but also for inspiring future generations of inventors and innovators. It’s crucial to provide young people with role models who look like them and who come from similar backgrounds, so they can see that their own potential is limitless.

So, as we celebrate National Inventors Day, let’s not forget to recognize and celebrate the contributions of black inventors. Hopefully, this FREE LESSON PLAN can assist you in doing just that! The inventions and innovations of African-Americans have played a vital role in shaping our society and improving our daily lives. We must strive to acknowledge, honor, and learn from the achievements of these inventors as we continue to build a more inclusive and equitable society.