Black Pioneers of Science and Invention

Early contributors to scientific and industrial progress faced numerous obstacles such as scarce financial resources and slow communication options as they designed new machines, medicines, procedures, and equipment. Black Americans saw additional adversity in the form of discrimination and legal restrictions by race as they engaged in their work. Louis Haber carefully documents the challenges and accomplishments experienced by fourteen black American inventors as they made important contributions to science and industry during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. First featured in this book is Benjamin Banneker, a mathematician and surveyor who made the first clock ever built in the United States, prepared a set of almanacs based on his own calculations that became a household staple, and completed the surveying plans for the new capital of Washington DC. Subsequent chapters cover Norbert Rillieux, who invented the vacuum pan evaporator to make white refined sugar crystals; Jan Earnst Matzeliger, who designed and built the first shoe-lasting machine that revolutionized the automation of shoe production; and Elijah McCoy (the person behind the expression "It's the real McCoy), whose inventions in lubricating machinery were used on all railroads in the western U.S. and on all steamers on the Great Lakes. The book further includes chapters covering the contributions of Granville T. Woods (the "Black Edison" who made numerous discoveries related to electrical systems and devices, such as railway telegraphy); Lewis Howard Latimer (whose work led to innovations in the electric lamp industry); Garrett A. Morgan (who invented the gas mask and traffic light); George Washington Carver (the most famous black American inventor who made revolutionary contributions in plant pathology and agriculture, including the research in crop rotation and the discovery of peanut products); Percy Lavon Julian (the "soybean chemist" whose discoveries in organic chemistry led to important pharmaceutical drugs such as physostigmine and cortisone); and Lloyd A. Hall (the innovative food chemist whose contributions in food technology led to the development of more nutritious and tastier foods). The final four chapters describe the discoveries and innovations made by Ernest Everett Just, Daniel Hale Williams, Louis Tompkins Wright, and Charles Richard Drew. Just was a pioneer in zoology and marine biology who did important research on the meaning of life; Williams worked as a successful surgeon, hospital administrator, and teacher who performed the first open heart surgery; Wright was the first black physician to hold a number of important positions in the medical field and to make innovations in the use of antibiotics and medical devices such as the neck brace; and Drew's research led to life-saving developments in blood transfusions and the organization of blood banks. The author has done a commendable job researching the personal backgrounds of these pioneers in

This book will truly open your eyes to significant contributions of brilliant African-Americans to the modern lives we live. Each chapter focuses on one African-American genius with a brief but detailed biography. I have used these short biographies along with internet research and pictures to make slide presentations for history classes.

When first published thirty years ago this was one of the few if not only books devoted to profiling the lives and achievements of Black scientists. All of those fourteen profiled individuals were either unknown or had been put in the halls of obscurity. Louis Haber changed all of that by showing young people that Blacks have contributed much in the scientific field. The stories are remarkable as you see how these men overcame racial, educational and economic obstacles to produce discoveries which have impacted upon our lives. The information about these pioneers are just as significant today as they were thirty years ago. Black Pioneers is a classic work in its field but needs revision even though the author has died. More information concerning the scientists is available that can be included in this work. Conspiculously absent is the contributions of Black women scientists. They too need to be included in the text as well as an updated bibliography. Other than those changes this book is an excellent introductory tome for young and old people who are curious about the contributions of Blacks in science.

I was extremely pleased to find this book. Young African Americans need to know that they, too, have as rich a contribution in the development of the history of the United States as other Americans. This information is not found in history books. Without books like this, no one would know the extensive contributions that African Americans have made to the development of our nation. I had a conversation with one of my son's friend's mother, and she was completely unbelieving of the information I shared. Everyone SHOULD have access to books of this kind, because without them, how would we know? There is so much information that has been omitted from the history books on the United States, especially where African Americans are concerned. African Americans have had overwhelming involvement in the history of this country since its beginning, i.e., slavery. Who created the cotton gin? A slave tired of picking cotton. Who invented the first traffic light, the iron ! board, the signals in a car? Who recreated the blue prints for the development of what became Washington, DC? Who found over 250 uses from the peanut? Who was the first pioneer of blood plasma? Who performed the first success heart transplant? All these individuals were African Americans, and that is just naming a few. However, many Americans don't know these facts. I think this book should be in every public library, as well as all elementary and middle school libraries across the country. I am so very proud to be an African American, and when young African Americans read this, I know this book will give them the aspiration to know that they, too, can aspire to greatness! I LOVE THIS BOOK! I hope to find others like it. Thank you, Mr. Haber, for caring and making this information accessible to the general public.