(The Dust Pan)
If it weren't for a black man namedLloyd P. Ray, your home would probably be super dusty because you wouldn't have a dust pan.Lloyd P. Ray invented the tool that makes it so much easier to dispose of trash. He improved the earlier model by making it able to stand.
(The Ironing Board)
You wouldn't have anything to use when ironing your wrinkly clothes if it weren't for the black woman namedSarah Boonewho invented the ironing board. Sarah Boone patented this universal household item and it has been a life saver to many a household.
(The Super Soaker)
Wouldn't your pool parties suck without a Super Soaker?Lonnie G. Johnson, a black man, invented one of the most popular toys from your childhood which added tons of fun to summer time events.The former NASA engineer created the toy in his spare time and after several rebranding attempts, his Super Soaker, known for its high-powered water blasting function, hit $200 million in sales in 1991.
(The Floor Mop)
Your floors would be sticky and icky if it weren't for the guy who created the Floor Mop. A person namedThomas W. Stewart improved upon the mop originally patented by Jacob Howe.
(The Refrigerator)
How terrible would it be to not have a place to keep your leftovers from going bad? Good thing someone made the refrigerator.John Standard is the guy to thank for this since he improved the original version.
(Automatic Elevator Doors)
Imagine how terrifying it'd be to take an elevator without doors? Good thing someone made automatic elevator doors a thing. Alexander Miles is responsible for that.
(The First Traffic Lights)
You probably already knew a black man created one of the first traffic lights, right? Well if you did not his name wasGarrett Morgan.
(The Gas Mask)
That same man (Garrett Morgan ) also invented the gas mask.
(Heated Hair Combs)
Ladies, wouldn't it be horrible to wake up without a way to get your luscious locks in order? Thank goodness for heated combs.Shout-out to Walter Sammons for creating an improved version of the heated comb.
(The Potato Chip)
Good thing a black man namedGeorge Crumgifted the world with potato chips.George Crum is said to be responsible for creating everyone's favorite snack.
(The Lawn Sprinkler)
Imagine how unkempt your lawn would look without a sprinkler.Joseph H. Smith was the mastermind who updated this invention.
(The Modern Lawn Mower)
Oh, and a black man created the modern lawnmower, too. His name wasJohn Burr and he made one of the first with a rotary blade.
(The First Home Security System )
The first home security system was patented by a black woman.You can sleep well at night knowing Marie Van Brittan Brown is responsible for making the predecessor to the modern-day home security system.
(The Gas Heating Furnace)
Also, it was a black woman who created the gas heating furnace which changed the way people warm their homes.Alice Parker is the reason we can keep nice and warm during the winter months.
(Over 300 Uses of The Peanut)
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich just wouldn't be the same without the peanut butter. Yep, a black man is responsible for this deliciousness.You've definitely heard of George Washington Carver, right? Of course, you have.
(The Clothes Dryer)
Drying clothes on a line is fun if you've got the time. Give a shout out to the hero who created the clothes dryer.George T. Sampson received the first patent for the mechanical clothes dryer.
(The Electric lamp Carbon Filament)
OK, we know Thomas Edison made the light bulb, but it'd be nothing without the black man who created the carbon filament.Lewis Latimer was a genius, and also held the patent for the electric lamp.
(The Automatic Gearshift)
People who can't drive a stick shift are definitely happy someone created the automatic gear shift. A black man namedRichard Spikes did that.
(The Heart Pacemaker)
Our hearts are blessed because of the guy who made the pacemaker.Otis Boykin a black man is a true hero.
(Ice Cream Scoops)
If black people didn't exist, you probably wouldn't have been introduced to the beauty of ice cream scoops.You can thank Alfred L. Cralle for that.
(The Mailbox)
In 1891, Philip Downing invented the “street letterbox,” which became the predecessor to the metal letter-drop mailboxes we use today.
(Laser Cataract Surgery)
Howard University alum Patricia Bath is responsible for creating the laser phaco probe, a device used for laser cataract surgery. With the help of the instrument, she was able to recover the sight of several individuals who had been blind for over 30 years.
(Touch-Tone Phone)
Shirley Ann Jackson made several telecommunications breakthroughs while employed with Bell Laboratories. Her scientific discoveries led to the touch-tone phone, caller I.D. and call waiting. Jackson was also the first black woman to graduate with a Ph.D. from M.I.T.
(The Blood Bank)
African American physician Charles Drew developed a way to process and preserve blood plasma, which lasts much longer than actual blood. His discovery was crucial to creating blood banks and assisting in the war effort during World War II. He was working on a blood bank for U.S. military personnel when he grew unhappy with the military’s request to segregate the blood and left his position.
(Refrigerated Trucks)
Before Frederick McKinley Jones invented his portable cooling unit, perishable items were transported in trucks filled with ice.He revolutionized the industry by creating a cooling system that could be mounted on the roof of the vehicle and would keep food fresh during long journeys.
