Who Were Key to Modern Society
Dr. Patricia Bath was a pioneer in Ophthalmology (a branch of medicine that deals with eye conditions). In 1986 she invented the Laserphaco probe, a laser tool used to correct cataracts in eye surgery. Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s natural lens; this affects vision and can lead to blindness. Her invention has been monumental in helping to restore sight to millions worldwide. Dr. Bath was the first African American doctor to receive a medical patent.
Fun fact: Dr. Bath actually conceived the idea in 1981 but the technology at the time wasn’t as advanced as her vision.
“I hope that through my past legacy and future advocacy, that the current and future generations of young scientists will not experience the hurtful wounds of discrimination of any kind.” – Dr. Patricia Bath
Garrett Morgan is an inventor that is responsible – most notably – for the gas mask and the three-position traffic signal.
Early Gas Mask:
Invented in 1912
The device now known as a gas mask today was originally called the Morgan safety hood. He initially designed it to help the users navigate smoky buildings but later modified the mask to carry its own air supply.
Patented Morgan’s Breathing Device – it worked by having a tube leading to the ground to extract cleaner air underneath rising smoke. The tube was lined with a sponge that helped air filtration.
Morgan’s breathing device gained popularity on July 24th 1916 when it was used to save lives during a tunnel explosion in Cleveland, USA. Being a black man in America he kept anonymity to his product, but later when white consumers found out it was invented by a black man they didn’t want to buy it. Garrett Morgan went on to be a tremendous business man and aid to his community.
Traffic Signal:
Invented in 1922
Morgan’s idea to add a third traffic signal (before that it was just stop and go) regulated vehicles better and made the roads a lot safer. This inspired traffic light signals we see today; just imagine if that amber light wasn’t there, roads would more chaotic than they are even these days. So thanks to Garrett Morgan!
Three-position traffic signal patented in 1923
Fun fact: The idea to add a third traffic signal came to Morgan when he witnessed a serious traffic accident at an intersection (okay that definitely isn’t fun but it is a fact).
Through her time in NASA she worked with a few talented black women including Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson as depicted in 2017 movie Hidden Figures. Vaughan was actually the first black supervisor and Jackson the first black female engineer in NASA (formerly NACA). Between all three of them they’ve completed research and problem solving for operations such as: John Glenn’s Orbital Mission, The Scout Launch Vehicle Program and research on the behaviour of the boundary layer of air around airplanes.
Fun fact: Katherine was so advanced at math that Claytor actually created specific advanced classes just for her and she graduated with degrees in 1937 at the age of 18.
