Pioneering Black Women in Tech Innovation: Shattering Obstacles and Writing History
In the realm of technology, science, and innovation, Black women have made significant strides throughout history, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. Here are some of the remarkable women who have left their indelible marks before the 21st century.
Annie Malone, a trailblazer in the cosmetics industry, patented the hot comb – a tool essential for styling coarse, curly hair. Her invention, modelled after historical Egyptian hair straightening practices, laid the foundation for this tradition. Madam C. J. Walker, Malone's protégé, later refined the hot comb by widening the teeth, enhancing its utility.
Sarah Mather, known for her underwater telescope, was granted a patent in 1845. This device, which used a camphine lamp in a glass globe, enabled sea-going vessels to observe underwater depths and inspect ship hulls. During the Civil War, Mather further improved the invention to detect Confederate underwater warships, a critical contribution to naval technology.
Mary Fields, or "Stagecoach Mary," was the first Black woman to be awarded a U.S. postal route in the late 19th century. While not an inventor in the traditional sense, her pioneering role in logistics and mail delivery in Montana showcased the expanding roles Black women undertook in American infrastructure.
Dr. Patricia Bath, though her major patents and firsts occurred in the late 20th century, made early contributions that are worth noting. She was the first Black woman to receive a medical patent for her invention of the laserphaco probe used to treat cataracts and completed the first ophthalmology residency by a Black woman in the U.S.
Other notable contributors include Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville, the first Black woman computer programmer, who worked on NASA's early space missions in the 1960s. Dr. Danielle N. Lee, an Assistant Professor of Biology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is known for her outreach initiatives aimed at boosting minority participation in STEM fields.
Marie Van Brittan Brown, in 1966, patented the first home security system, which consisted of peepholes, a camera, and a two-way microphone. Lisa, the inventor of Shockwave, an animation software, is the first Black woman to hold a patent for internet technology.
Notable Black women inventors before the 21st century have made critical advances across technology, healthcare, and cosmetics, laying the groundwork for future generations of Black women inventors and scientists. Their legacies continue to inspire and motivate today, as seen in the work of Jewel Burks, founder of Partpic, who leads an Amazon Web Services team and invests in companies founded by Black entrepreneurs.
Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, aims to increase the number of Black women in technology by teaching coding and technology skills to young girls. Angle Bush founded Black Women in AI, an organization aimed at empowering Black women in the field of artificial intelligence through education, engagement, and embodiment. Dr. Shirley Jackson, the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT, invented fiber-optic cables in the 1970s, aiding in the development of numerous inventions.
The contributions of Black women in the tech industry have significantly improved the economic circumstances in underresourced communities and the overall quality of life for Black people. Their impact on the tech industry continues to be profound, contributing to the development of various inventions and paving the way for future generations.
- Beyond the cosmetics industry, Black women have made groundbreaking innovations in various fields, with Sarah Mather's underwater telescope revolutionizing naval technology in the 19th century.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development and career-development, Kimberly Bryant founded Black Girls Code, fostering the growth of Black women in technology by teaching coding and tech skills to young girls, mirroring the inspirational legacy of earlier pioneers like Annie Malone and Marie Van Brittan Brown.
