Inventors & Innovators
Explore the brilliant minds behind groundbreaking inventions and scientific achievements that changed the world. From ancient innovations to modern breakthroughs, discover how African and African-American inventors shaped our daily lives.
Fields of Innovation
11 innovators
Revolutionary advances in medical science, surgery, and healthcare
31 innovators
Breakthrough inventions in engineering, electronics, and technology
8 innovators
Innovations that transformed farming and environmental science
Lonnie G. Johnson
1949-present
Inventor of the Super Soaker water gun and numerous NASA technologies.
Lewis Howard Latimer
1848-1928
Inventor who improved the electric light bulb and telephone.
Madam C. J. Walker
1867-1919
Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist, considered one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire.
Charles Bolden
1946-present
A former administrator of NASA, a retired United States Marine Corps major general, and a former astronaut.
Patricia Bath
1942-2019
First African-American woman doctor to receive a medical patent. Invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract surgery.
Gladys West
1930-Present
Mathematician whose work was instrumental in the development of GPS technology.
Granville T. Woods
1856-1910
Known as 'The Black Edison,' he invented the multiplex telegraph and held over 50 patents in electrical engineering.
Jerry Lawson
1940-2011
Electronic engineer who led the team that developed the first commercial home video game console with interchangeable game cartridges, the Fairchild Channel F.
Annie Easley
1933-2011
A computer scientist, mathematician, and rocket scientist who worked for NASA and was a leading member of the team which developed software for the Centaur rocket stage.