Skip to main content

17 Black inventors who changed the tech world

February may be Black History Month, but in reality, we should always celebrate the inventors who changed the world with their ideas, hard work, and dedication. Below, you’ll find just a few of the influential people who made a giant impact on the technology field. Next time you turn on your lights, answer a call, hop on social media, or order something online, keep in mind how one of these inventors helped pave the way for our modern tech conveniences.

See more

Otis Boykin: Wire precision electrical resistor

1920-1982

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Thanks to the work of Boykin, we can now designate an accurate resistance value to wiring in our electronics. This has made it possible for our TVs, PCs, and radios to move leaps and bounds to the modern devices we have today. Boykin’s work also helped lead to the implantable pacemaker — a medical device that’s used by millions to treat heart conditions.

Mark Dean: Assisted in creating the first Gigahertz chip, color PC monitor, and more

1957-

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Mark Dean — a computer scientist, engineer, and named IBM Fellow — worked with IBM to develop technologies like the first Gigahertz chip. Dean has received numerous honors since then and went on to earn a doctorate from Stanford. His work has been monumental and continues to impact our day-to-day life in many ways, paving the way for today’s computers and gaming consoles.

Jesse Russell: Cellular communications

1948-

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Each time you pick up your smartphone, think of Jesse Russell. Over decades of work in the telecommunications field, Russell played a large part in getting cell phone communications to where they are today, with numerous patents in the field for innovations like his wireless communication base station and mobile data telephone.

Fredrick McKinley Jones: Automatic long-haul truck refrigeration system

1983-1961

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Another inventor we have to thank for our modern-day conveniences is Fredrick McKinley Jones. He made it possible to ship items that need to stay cool, with numerous patents in refrigeration. He also contributed to other industries, specifically film, as well as the medical field. Just know when you purchase produce at the store or order perishables online, Jones’s work helped make it possible.

Jerry Lawson: Fairchild Channel F video game console and cartridge

1940-2011

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lawson helped create the Fairchild Channel F console, the first cartridge gaming system, in 1976. With games like video blackjack, bowling, checkers, and slot machine, it was nothing like the games we have today. But, without Lawson’s work, we might not have today’s high-graphics titles or consoles. Some people even refer to Lawson as a father of modern gaming.

Alice H. Parker: Gas furnace

1895-1920

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Alice Parker patented a natural gas furnace in 1919. Her invention helped modernize the HVAC industry and central heating systems, allowing for greater conservation of energy and moving us away from a reliance on wood and coal. Needless to say, our homes are now much more comfortable thanks to her revolutionary concept.

Garrett Morgan: Three-position traffic signal

1877-1963

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Being stuck in traffic at a signal is the worst, but these signals play a vital part in traffic regulation. Morgan created an automated signal in a T-shape with three positions, including a warning position. He sold the invention for $40,000.

Roy Clay: Computer science pioneer

1929-

Image used with permission by copyright holder

In the 1960s, Roy Clay led the team at HP that came out with the 2116A. He also developed software for the computer. A hugely influential figure in modern technology, Clay worked to develop electrical safety testing equipment and has helped others get involved in the tech industry.

Marie Van Brittan Brown: Home security system

1922-1999

Marie Van Brittan Brown Ring Composite
Taylor Frint/Digital Trends

Credited with creating the first home security system, Marie Van Brittan Brown filed a patent for her closed-circuit television security (CCTV) system invention in 1966. CCTV systems are still used to this day, and thanks to Brown’s contribution, homes and businesses across the world have affordable access to home security.

Shirley Jackson: Charge density wave research

1946-

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Shirley Jackson remains one of the most impressive people of all time. Along with her doctoral degree in particle physics, Dr. Jackson worked with Bell Laboratories and collaborated on research related to charge density waves. Charge density waves are important in creating high-temperature superconductors, which have all sorts of technological applications. President Bill Clinton even appointed Jackson as Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Lisa Gelobter: Contributed to Shockwave, Hulu, and more

1971-

Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition to serving as Chief Digital Service Officer for the Department of Education under Obama, Gelobter played a part in many of the technologies we use today. She worked on Hulu and Shockwave and is even credited with creating the animation used in GIFs. And, as if that weren’t impressive enough, Gelobter acted as Chief Digital Officer for BET Networks.

James E. West: Electret microphone

1931-

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Foil electret microphones may not sound all that riveting, but the technology is used in nearly 90% of all microphones produced annually. West patented the electret microphone in 1962, and now, it can be found in everything from phones to hearing aids to baby monitors, not to mention a wide array of other devices.

Lewis Latimer: Carbon filament for incandescent light bulb

1848-1928

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lewis Latimer worked on some pretty landmark inventions, but he often receives little recognition. He worked alongside Alexander Bell to draft his patent for the telephone, for example, and he patented the carbon filament for the incandescent light bulb. Latimer’s contributions completely changed the way we live, work, and communicate.

Gladys West: Contributions to GPS

1930-

Image used with permission by copyright holder

GPS is nearly ubiquitous in today’s day and age, with applications in everything from travel to weather to the military. The technology wouldn’t be possible, however, without the contributions of Gladys West. A mathematician and programmer, West programmed a computer to give calculations for a geodetic earth model, which helped make GPS possible.

Granville Woods: Induction telegraph

1856-1910

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Granville Woods invented quite a few devices, including a telephone-telegraph hybrid that allowed people to speak over telegraph wires. Additionally, Woods created the troller, which made it possible for trolleys to receive power from overhead wires. His contributions played a vital role in our communications, electrical systems, and travel industries.

Marc Hannah: 3D graphics software

1956-

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Marc Hannah is a world-renowned inventor, chief architect, and co-founder of Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI). As the architect of 3D effects software, he helped contribute directly and indirectly to a number of different fields, including the film industry and the military. If you ever thought the special effects in Jurassic Park were impressive, you have Hannah to thank.

Frank S. Greene: High-speed semiconductor computer memory systems

1938-2009

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Frank S. Greene, an electrical engineer, inventor, teacher, and advocate, was a Silicon Valley powerhouse. A doctorate holder and one of the world leaders in semiconductor technology, Greene created a patent for an integrated circuit. His patent helped make Fairchild a leader in semiconductor tech in the 1960s.

Erika Rawes
Smart Home Evergreen Coordinator
Erika became a professional writer in 2010, and her work is published all over the web on sites ranging from USA Today to…
7 best Chromebooks for 2024: the best for every budget
Close up of the Chrome logo on the top of a Chromebook.

Chromebooks might have a hard time competing with Windows laptops and MacBooks, but that doesn't mean they don't have their place. We've reviewed hundreds of laptops over the years, testing for important qualities like performance, battery life, and display quality — and we've found that Chromebooks consistently excel at performance and reliability.

You can find Chromebooks from Google, HP, Lenovo, Acer, and many others, and we've dug through them to put together this roundup of the best Chromebooks on the market. They're incredibly accessible devices, and for the right person, a Chromebook can be the best laptop in terms of value.

Read more
HP Envy deals: HP’s most popular laptop starts at $630
An HP Envy 17-inch laptop sits on an office desk.

A great computer brand to shop if you’re in the market for a new laptop is HP, which is consistently among the best laptop brands. It has several different model lineups to choose from, with the HP Envy laptop lineup offering a good balance of hardware options and pricing. The HP Envy lineup is also a good one to shop because it regularly turns out some impressive laptop deals. That’s certainly the case right now, as there are a lot of HP Envy deals to shop. We’ve rounded up what we feel are the best HP Envy deals currently taking place, so read onward for more information on how to land some savings.
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 laptop 15Z-FH000 — $630, was $900

The HP Envy x360 convertible laptop is a great option for just about anyone, particularly anyone who enjoys the touchscreen functionality of a tablet. It’s well designed and super slim, making it a truly go-anywhere device. Despite its portability, it still has an immersive 15.6-inch touchscreen that’s great for creators, note-takers, and binge watchers. Top notch build quality and durability, fast charging technology, a fingerprint reader, and great battery life round out the top features of the HP Envy x360 convertible touchscreen laptop. It competes well with the best 2-in-1 laptops. Its versatility and all-around capability make it a worthy companion on any desk, and on any lap.

Read more
Best Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals: From $450
Microsoft Surface Go 3 sitting on table.

If you want a thin and light laptop that's similar to the MacBook Air but not in the Apple ecosystem, then the Microsoft Surface lineup of laptops is absolutely the way to go. In fact, if you've seen the recent unwrapping of the business version of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, you might be fired up and ready to grab your own surface. Unfortunately, the Surface lineup can be quite expensive, which is why we've gone out and scoured the retailers for the best deals we could find and collected them below. So, be sure to check out everything, as well as some of these other great laptop deals if you aren't fully committed to the Microsoft Surface lineup.
Microsoft Surface Go 3 -- $450, was $550

Functioning as a 2-in-1 laptop that can switch between tablet mode and laptop mode, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 won't have trouble dealing with basic tasks as it's equipped with the Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y processor and 8GB of RAM. The 10.5-inch touchscreen with 1920 x 1080 resolution is bright and colorful, and its 128GB SSD is more than enough for your documents. The Microsoft Surface Go 3 ships with Windows 11 Home in Mode, so you can start using it as soon as you unbox it. The device also promises up to 11 hours of battery life before requiring a recharge.

Read more