People, Locations, Episodes

A Black Man Patents a Sprinkler

On this date in 1897, African American inventor Joseph H. Smith patented the sprinkler.

This African American inventors Patent No. is #581.785.

Rudolph Fisher, Writer, and Gastroenterology Specialist born

Rudolph Fisher was born in Washington, DC on this date in 1897. He was an African American physician, roentgen logy specialist, novelist, short story writer, dramatist, musician, and orator.

A Black Inventor Patents a Railroad Coupler

On this date in 1897, Andrew Beard received a patent for a device he called the Jenny Coupler.

The Jenny Coupler automatically joined cars by simply allowing them to bump into each other, or as Beard described it, the “horizontal jaws engage each other to connect the cars.”

This African American inventor sold the rights to his design for $50,000.00 and revolutionized the railroad industry.

David Crosthwait, Electrical Engineer born

David Crosthwait, Jr. was born on this date in 1898. He was an African American electrical and mechanical engineer.

Maude E. Callen, Nurse, and Midwife born

*On Maude Callen was born on this date in 1898. She was an African American nurse and midwife.

Maude E. Callen was born in Quincy, Florida. She was one of thirteen sisters. She was orphaned by the age of six and then was raised in the home of her uncle, Dr. William J. Gunn, a physician, in Tallahassee, Florida. She graduated from Florida A & M University in 1922 and then completed her nursing course at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

Earnest Mae McCarroll, Physician born

*Earnest McCarroll was born on this date in 1898.  She was a Black physician.  Earnest Mae McCarroll was born to Mary and Ernest McCarroll in Birmingham, Alabama. Her father was a mail carrier. She was the fourth of their six children.  She attended public school in the city until receiving her high school education and […]

Virginia Alexander, Physician born

*Virginia Alexander was born on this date in 1899.  She was a Black physician, public health researcher, and administrator.   Virginia Margaret Alexander was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Hilliard Alexander and Virginia Pace. She had four siblings, including attorney Raymond Pace Alexander. Alexander’s mother died when she was four years old, and at age 13, her […]

Percy L. Julian, Chemist, and Teacher born

Dr. Percy Lavon Julian was born on this date in 1899. This African American research chemist was a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of drugs used in medicine.

Robert W. Johnson, Doctor, and Tennis Mentor born

*Robert W. Johnson was born on this date in 1899.  He was a Black physician and community activist.   Robert Walter Johnson was born in Norfolk, VA.  He graduated in 1924 from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania; he was a classmate of Melvin B. Tolson. Following a college career playing football at Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University as a […]

Rosco McKinney, Anatomy Scientist born

*Roscoe Lewis McKinney was born on this date in 1900.  He was a Black scientist specializing in Anatomy.  From Washington D.C., He earned his B.A. from Bates College in 1921.  From there, he taught Biology at Morehouse College for two years.  He earned his Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of Chicago in 1930, assisted […]

Ruth W. Howard Beckman, Psychologist born

*Ruth Winifred Howard (Beckham) was born on this date in 1900. She was an African American educator, social worker, and psychologist.

Major Spaulding, Agronomist born

*Major Franklin Spaulding was born on this date in 1900. He was an African American Agronomist.

From Clarkston, North Carolina he received his B.A. from North Carolina State College and Cornell in 1925 and 1927. Spaulding earned his M.S. from Cornell in 1928. From 1928 to 1937 Spaulding taught Agronomy at North Carolina State. He earned his Ph.D from Massachusetts State University in 1935. Spaulding’s dissertation was “Factors influencing the rate of decomposition of Different Types of Plant Tissues in Soils and the Effects of Products on Plant Growth”.

Lena Edwards, Doctor, and Administrator born

*Lena Frances Edwards was born on this date in 1900. She was an African American medical doctor.

E. Luther Brookes, Chemist born

*The birth of E. Luther Brookes is celebrated on this date in 1900. He was a Black chemist and Professor. From Jamaica, British West Indies, Enos Luther Brookes was the son of Professor James M. Brookes and Martha Brookes. “The death of his mother prevented his acceptance of a scholarship to an English University. He traveled to […]

John McNeile Hunter, Chemist, and Professor born

*John McNeile Hunter was born on this date in 1901.  He was a Black chemist and professor.  From Woodville, Texas, he was the oldest son of John Alexander Hunter and Mary Evelyn Virginia (Edwards) Hunter. His father, a former school principal, had moved to Texas from Louisiana soon after his marriage to Edwards, who had […]