12 Books about Black Inventors

There is a rich history of African-American innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—ranging from the invention of peanut butter and potato chips to the development of open-heart surgery and blood storage. Sadly, many African-Americans never received credit for their inventions (especially before the Civil War, because enslaved Africans were not allowed to hold patents). However, the books below, ranging from a 36-page picture book to a 462-page reference volume, outline what has been documented about the immense contributions of black innovators.

For more information about African-American inventors, check out the Black Inventor Online Museum:  http://blackinventor.com/

What Color Is My World? : The Lost History Of African-American Inventors

Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem

So many science and history books offer only token recognition of a few minority scientists. This compendium offers valuable and significant information about inventors who come from varied backgrounds, and whose creative thinking led the way for many of today’s most valuable technologies. The book is a combination of readable biography and informational text. The narrative will hook the reader, and the facts prompt even more investigation. Lewis Howard Latimer’s work on the light bulb, James E. West’s work with microphones, the innovations of Joseph Lee and Lloyd A. Hall in food preparation are all inspirational. Taste a potato chip and thank George Crum! Or lick an ice cream cone, thanks to Alfred L. Cralle. There’s even the story of Percy Lavon Julian’s improvements to race cars in graphic novel format. This NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book can serve many purposes. It’s readability (especially the biographical sections) will capture the interest of even reluctant readers from middle elementary through secondary. The authentic diversity of people, places, and engineering methods will demonstrate that there is room for many approaches to innovation. Teachers will appreciate this as a supplement to an engineering curriculum, a way to create more in-depth understanding of the history of invention and a collection of pathways to individual or group exploration. Grades 3-5. 2012, Candlewick Press, 36p, $17.99. Ages 8 to 11. REVIEWER: CBC Reviewer (National Science Teachers Association). ISBN(s): 0763645648, 9780763645649.

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African American Scientists And Inventors

Davidson, Tish

Major Black Contributions from Emancipation to Civil Rights” is a wordy but descriptive title for a series highlighting African-American successes in many fields, including the arts, sports, politics, education and, here, science and inventions. After explaining the patent process, so important to inventors, Davidson moves on to the career of African-American pioneer in agricultural research, Dr. George Washington Carver, who introduced crop rotation to farmers and invented 270 ways to use peanuts (including peanut butter). Others developed methods of preserving food, while Frederick Jones, before World War I, invented an important refrigeration system for trains. In the fields of industry and transportation, African-American inventions abound: a clothes wringer, a sleeve board, a mechanical eggbeater. Outstanding researcher and inventor Louis Latimer devised a better carbon filament for light bulbs, making electric light affordable for all; David Crosthwait heated and cooled New York’s Radio City. Though they continued to suffer discrimination, many innovative African-Americans entered the field of medicine (a wonderful 1900 photograph shows a black doctor making a house call while his elegant horse and carriage wait at the curb). Dr. Charles Drew made blood plasma usable; Percy Julian discovered ways to simulate soybean chemicals to produce cortisone and Aero-foam. By the mid-twentieth century, more African-Americans were entering college and making significant contributions to space technology as astronauts and research scientists–Frederick Gregory, Ronald McNair, Guion Bluford, and Dr. Mae Jemison have all gone into space. Electrical engineer Mark Dean helped make personal computers possible, while Paul Williams is a leader in computer security and a consultant to businesses and the FBI. Such information can be inspiring to many young scientists and is vital to understanding African-American participation in our country’s history. Included are a glossary, a chronology, suggested books, and Internet sources. 2013, Mason Crest/National Highlights,, $22.95. Ages 9 to 13. REVIEWER: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children’s Literature). ISBN(s): 9781422223758,
9781422223888, 1422223752, 1422223884.

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African American Women Scientists and Inventors

Sullivan, Otha Richard.

This slim book is a fascinating work designed with middle school and high school students in mind. Sullivan, a former science teacher and middle school counselor, takes a close look at 26 very influential but often-overlooked African American women scientists of the past 200 years. Each woman’s profile is three to four pages in length and includes their birth and death date (if applicable), the historical setting of their life and work, black-and-white photographs, and oftentimes quotations or interesting facts about their life and work. Women mentioned in this work include Bessie Blount Griffin, a physical therapist who invented a device that helped the physically disabled feed themselves; Shirley Ann Jackson, the first African American woman to receive her Ph.D. in physics; and Angela D. Ferguson, who discovered a test to detect sickle cell anemia in newborns. The work also includes a chronology, notes, a bibliography, and an index. This is a well-written volume that will appeal to the middle and high school audience it is intended for. This work, as well as others in the series, should be considered for purchase by both school and public libraries. 2002, John Wiley, 150p, $22.95. REVIEWER: Shannon Graff Hysell (American Reference Books Annual). ISBN(s): 047138707X, 9780471387077.

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African Americans In Science, Math, And Invention

Spangenburg, Ray

Each year my science class chooses a hero-scientist to research. They create a poster along with a three-paragraph paper and a stamp. Now, thanks to this new publication, I have an amazing resource for my students to use in order to learn about a more diverse and contemporary group of African American scientists, mathematicians, and inventors. This book goes beyond the names common to most bibliographies– Benjamin Banneker, Louis Latimer, George Washington Carver, and Elijah McCoy–to describe the lives of more than 160 scientists from the African American community. The entries are arranged alphabetically with a timeline that references them by year of birth. A thorough index and bibliography makes the book suitable for initial research for secondary students. The depth and variety of subjects in this reference help students understand that exemplary achievement by African Americans isn’t rare. These biographies highlight the mixture of talent, intelligence, and perseverance that inspires ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. The women and men in this book serve as a source of inspiration to achieve excellence and always strive to do more. This reference will help students at all levels appreciate diversity and the characteristics that they will need to become heroes themselves. Grades K-12. Keywords: Biography. 2003, Facts On File, 254p, $44. Ages 5 to 18. REVIEWER: Teri Cosentino (National Science Teachers Association). ISBN(s): 0816048061, 9780816048069.

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African American Firsts In Science and Technology

Webster, Raymond B.

Although it is relatively easy to identify African Americans who have made noted contributions in the field of literature and civil rights, a comprehensive list of those individuals in the scientific fields has often meant much searching. Gale now provides a compilation of the pioneering achievements of African Americans in the field of science and technology in a single volume. These noted accomplishments span a period from 1706 to the present. The achievements range from the first person to graduate from a particular university to the first person to accomplish a particular goal. The first persons to discover, invent, found, or establish something significant are also included. Along with providing an extensive list, the author intends to provide role model data for younger African Americans to inspire them to achieve in this area. Approximately 1,200 entries of 50 to 100 words are arranged in 8 subject chapters: “Agriculture and Everyday Life,” “Allied Health,” “Dentistry and Nursing,” “Life Sciences,” “Math and Engineering,” “Medicine,” “Physical Sciences,” and “Transportation.” Each chapter is chronologically arranged. “Medicine” is the largest chapter and “Allied Health” is the shortest. Approximately 25 percent of the entries are of African American females. Bibliographic references accompany each entry and provide the researcher direction for additional information. Black-and-white portraits are provided for 108 of the individuals. The main body is followed by a bibliography and 3 indexes: index by year, occupational index, and a general index. The index by year is a chronological list of the accomplishments from all the chapters, which allows the reader to see that the number of achievements per year increases notably from the early years to the present. The occupational index sorts the individuals into 89 different occupational categories. This is another of Gale’s well-researched works that is well indexed and arranged, which makes it easy for the reader to use. This volume is recommended for middle school through college students and public libraries. 1999, Gale, 462p, $60.00. REVIEWER: Elaine Ezell (American Reference Books Annual). ISBN(s): 0787638765, 9780787638764.

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Inspiring African-American Inventors

Young, Jeff C.

When I was growing up the only African-Americans that I remember being mentioned in civics class, social studies or history class were Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver. I also knew of Madam C.J. Walker because, as a teenager, I worked part-time for a man who sold her products. On top of that most of these courses only had about one or two sentences about their accomplishments. I hated these courses because I knew there was more to African-American history than I was being exposed to in school. My own sense told me that there were other African- Americans who had done great things. It is nice to see books such as this providing information about African-Americans inventors like Lonnie Johnson, who worked for NASA and who invented the Super Soaker toy gun, and Dr. Patricia E. Bath, who invented the laserphaco which is used to treat cataracts. Thank you Dr. Bath. Your invention removed my cataracts. An important feature of this book is the “Report Links,” Internet sites that provides up-to-date document sources and pictures, valuable to anyone doing research or writing a report on African-American inventors. Part of the “Great Scientists and Famous Inventors” series. 2009, Enslow Publishers, $33.27. Ages 9 to 12. REVIEWER: Leila Toledo (Children’s Literature). ISBN(s): 1598450808, 9781598450804

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George Washington Carver

Bolden, Tonya

This companion book to the Field Museum’s George Washington Carver exhibit exceeds standard souvenir-shop fare, offering an informative introduction to the ex-slave’s landmark career in agricultural science and his dedication to improving the fortunes of some of the poorest of the nation’s farmers. Although the picture-book format precludes much depth and detail, Bolden nudges beyond the facts of Carver’s childhood, his groundbreaking success at an all-white college, and his tenure as professor at the Tuskegee Institute to address his religious beliefs, his grumpiness at being forever associated with peanut study, and the critique within the African-American community that he, like Booker T. Washington, “rejected open protest of segregation.” Layout is exceptionally attractive, with spacious blocks of text, beautifully reproduced historical photographs “mounted” in filigreed scrapbook corners, and some of Carver’s own paintings and personal effects. Source notes are provided for all quotations, and a selected bibliography is included Review Code: R — Recommended. 2008, Field Museum/Abrams, 41p. illus. with photographs., $18.95. Grades 3-6. REVIEWER: Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books). ISBN(s): 081099366X, 9780810993662.

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George Crum And The Saratoga Chip

Taylor, Gaylia

Crum is a little-known historical figure who invented a well-known favorite food, the potato chip. George, part African American and part Native American had a hard time growing up in the prejudicial world of 1830s Saratoga Springs, New York. His passion for cooking made him famous and wealthy, but he never had patience for preferential treatment of clientele. It was the complaints of a fussy diner who led him to invent the quickly-fried thin potato slices called Saratoga Chips, now named potato chips. These helped bring him the money needed to open his own restaurant, an establishment where people of all kinds had to wait for service regardless of race, color, or class. 2006, Lee and Low, $16.95. Ages 6 to 10. REVIEWER: Susie Wilde (Children’s Literature). ISBN(s): 1584302550, 9781584302551, 0134805509847.

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Vision Of Beauty : The Story Of Sarah Breedlove Walker

Lasky, Kathryn

This longer-than-usual, picture book tells the inspiring story Madame Walker, best known for founding a turn-of-the-century company that bolstered the beauty of African-American women. Lasky does an incredible job of getting to the emotional and character qualities of this amazing woman who did much more than change hair. Walker was the first freeborn child of a large, loving family. Life on their small farm was nearly impossible with the threats of poverty, disease, hard labor, and the KKK. After her parents’ death, young Sarah moved to St. Louis where the stresses of early marriage, overwork, and poor nutrition resulted in loss of her hair. Inspired by a dream and prayer, she creates a concoction to rebuild healthy hair. She builds not just hair strength, but the esteem of black women by praising and enhancing their physical appearance and employing them as her sales force. Once she has attained financial security, Walker turns to the fight for the rights of women and all African-Americans in areas of culture and social justice. Illustrator Bennett, who, as a child was taught by her mother about the beauty and wonders of African-American hair, lauds the inner and outer beauty of the story’s characters. 2000, Candlewick, $16.99. Ages 6 to 10. REVIEWER: Susie Wilde (Children’s Literature). ISBN(s): 0763602531, 9780763602536.

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All Aboard! : Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine

Kulling, Monica

In 1860 Elijah McCoy, son of slaves, goes to Scotland to study how to design and build engines. But back in the United States the only job he can find on a train is shoveling coal. The lively text of this second volume in the “Great Idea Series” clearly depicts the excitement of the time over the steam engine along with Elijah’s work. While on the train, he notes the difficulty of constantly stopping to oil the engine from underneath the train. He finally designs and patents an oil cup to do the job automatically. During his lifetime McCoy filed fifty-seven patents; he was “an inventing marvel.” Slavin’s pen and ink and watercolor double-page naturalistic scenes tell the visual story while providing information about railroad travel at the time. Occasionally some animals appear as observers, adding to the light-hearted narrative. A note reports the origin of the expression “the real McCoy.” 2010, Tundra Books, $17.95. Ages 5 to 8. REVIEWER: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children’s Literature). ISBN(s): 0887769454, 9780887769450.

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Daniel Hale Williams : Surgeon Who Opened Hearts And Minds

Venezia, Mike

The important contributions to medicine that Daniel Hale Williams, founder of the first non-segregated hospital in the United States, made are examined in this volume of the “Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Inventors and Scientists” series. Williams moved around a lot as a child and young man, working as an apprentice to a shoemaker and a barber while going to school. After accepting work as a doctor’s apprentice, Williams attended medical school. Upon experiencing discrimination when applying for jobs, Williams decided to open his own practice, in 1891. Provident Hospital, in Chicago, was founded as a place that would treat all patients, regardless of color, and would accept and train black doctors and nurses. Williams’ reputation as a great surgeon grew, leading him to move to Washington, D.C. for a few years to overhaul the Freedman’s Hospital. After returning to Provident, he found jealous doctors had started rumors about his misuse of hospital funds. Having no patience for rumors, Williams chose to leave the hospital and worked around the country as a teacher and surgeon. One of Williams’ most significant contributions to the field of medicine was being one of the first surgeons to operate on the area around the heart. Each volume of the series includes photographs, maps, whimsical illustrations, a glossary, and an index. Though the book appears slight, the conversational tone makes for an engaging and surprisingly informative read. 2010, Children’s Press/Scholastic, $28.00. Ages 8 to 10. REVIEWER: Amanda MacGregor (Children’s Literature). ISBN(s): 9780531237298, 053123729X.

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Dr. Charles Drew : Blood Bank Innovator

Schraff, Anne E.

Millions of people owe their lives to Dr. Charles Drew and his pioneering research on blood plasma. He developed a system of blood transfusions and the first blood storage procedures. Photographs help readers develop a sense of the place and time in which Drew worked. This book was selected as a CBC/NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for 2003. This middle-level biography of an African-American innovator places medical research in the context of Drew’s struggles for professional and personal success. Readers will be motivated to go to other sources for more information on the biology of blood and the medical science behind his work. Drew was also a champion for other black doctors. He accomplished all of this at a time when black doctor were sometimes not allowed to treat white patients. A chronology and chapter notes make this narrative suitable not just for reading but as a starting point for secondary research. Grades 5-12. Keywords: Health Education, Human Anatomy, Science Careers, * Outstanding Science Trade Book *. 2003, Enslow Publishers, 112p, $20.95. Ages 10 to 18. REVIEWER: CBC Reviewer (National Science Teachers Association). ISBN(s): 0766021173, 9780766021174.

(Additional reviews, award info, and reading level info available on CLCD.)