Photos: African-American Inventors

Many of us couldn't live without their inventions.

We Made That. - From the curling iron to the dustpan, to those crunchy potato chips, Black inventors have changed the way we live. In the following pages, BET.com pays tribute to the very people whose inventions progressed society.  — Danielle Wright

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We Made That. - From the curling iron to the dustpan, to those crunchy potato chips, Black inventors have changed the way we live. In the following pages, BET.com pays tribute to the very people whose inventions progressed society.  — Danielle Wright

Madam C.J. Walker - A black haircare and cosmetics industry trailblazer, Madam C.J. Walker was the first African-American female millionaire. "I got my start by giving myself a start," the daughter of former slaves who was born on a Louisiana plantation often said. She revolutionized beauty with the invention of Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower, a scalp-moisturizing and healing formula that combatted hair loss.(Photo: A'Lelia Bundles/Madam Walker Family Archives/madamcjwalker.com) 

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Madam C.J. Walker - A black haircare and cosmetics industry trailblazer, Madam C.J. Walker was the first African-American female millionaire. "I got my start by giving myself a start," the daughter of former slaves who was born on a Louisiana plantation often said. She revolutionized beauty with the invention of Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower, a scalp-moisturizing and healing formula that combatted hair loss.(Photo: A'Lelia Bundles/Madam Walker Family Archives/madamcjwalker.com) 

Dr. Daniel H. Williams - An ambassador for African-American patients and physicians, Dr. Daniel H. Williams transformed the field of medicine over the span of his exalted career. He founded Provident Hospital in 1891 and performed the first open heart surgery in 1893. Williams annihilated racial barriers, expanding medical education and employment opportunities for Blacks.(Photo: Public Domain ca. 1900)

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Dr. Daniel H. Williams - An ambassador for African-American patients and physicians, Dr. Daniel H. Williams transformed the field of medicine over the span of his exalted career. He founded Provident Hospital in 1891 and performed the first open heart surgery in 1893. Williams annihilated racial barriers, expanding medical education and employment opportunities for Blacks.(Photo: Public Domain ca. 1900)

Dr. Patricia E. Bath - A global ambassador for blindness prevention and treatment, Dr. Patricia E. Bath invented a device called Laserphaco and a technique called keratoprosthesis, collectively used to restore vision in patients experiencing blindness — some for more than 30 years. Community Ophthalmology, a service that offers principal care to underserved neighborhoods, is also the brainchild of Bath. She was the first African-American resident in ophthalmology at NYU, from 1970 to 1973.(Courtesty of Dr. Patricia E. Bath)

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Dr. Patricia E. Bath - A global ambassador for blindness prevention and treatment, Dr. Patricia E. Bath invented a device called Laserphaco and a technique called keratoprosthesis, collectively used to restore vision in patients experiencing blindness — some for more than 30 years. Community Ophthalmology, a service that offers principal care to underserved neighborhoods, is also the brainchild of Bath. She was the first African-American resident in ophthalmology at NYU, from 1970 to 1973.(Courtesty of Dr. Patricia E. Bath)

Earl Lucas - One of only 25 to 30 African-American car designers in the world, Ford Motor Company design manager Earl Lucas designed the attractive exterior of the 2010 Ford Taurus. After earning a degree in industrial design at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Lucas landed a dream gig building airplane interiors for the wealthy Sultan of Brunei. He's been drawing cars since the tender age of three.(Photo: KATHLEEN GALLIGAN/MCT /Landov)

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Earl Lucas - One of only 25 to 30 African-American car designers in the world, Ford Motor Company design manager Earl Lucas designed the attractive exterior of the 2010 Ford Taurus. After earning a degree in industrial design at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Lucas landed a dream gig building airplane interiors for the wealthy Sultan of Brunei. He's been drawing cars since the tender age of three.(Photo: KATHLEEN GALLIGAN/MCT /Landov)

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Frederick M. Jones - An orphan from Cincinnati with only an eighth-grade education, Frederick M. Jones received 60 U.S. patents before his death in 1961. From the portable X-ray machine to the automatic movie-ticket dispenser, Jones’ unparalleled brilliance was rightfully rewarded with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation — one of the highest honors an inventor can receive.(Photo: Public Domain)

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Frederick M. Jones - An orphan from Cincinnati with only an eighth-grade education, Frederick M. Jones received 60 U.S. patents before his death in 1961. From the portable X-ray machine to the automatic movie-ticket dispenser, Jones’ unparalleled brilliance was rightfully rewarded with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation — one of the highest honors an inventor can receive.(Photo: Public Domain)

Garrett Morgan - Garrett Morgan was compelled to improve stop-and-go traffic safety after witnessing an accident between an automobile and horse-drawn carriage — subsequently creating the nation's first three-position traffic.(Photo: LOC) 

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Garrett Morgan - Garrett Morgan was compelled to improve stop-and-go traffic safety after witnessing an accident between an automobile and horse-drawn carriage — subsequently creating the nation's first three-position traffic.(Photo: LOC) 

George Crum - Restaurant owner George Crum unintentionally invented the potato chip during his tenure as a chef at an upscale lodge in Saratoga, New York. When a customer sent their potatoes back to the kitchen, grumbling they were too thick and soft, an irritated Crum sliced a thin new batch, frying them until they were crunchy and brown. Surprisingly, the crisps were well-received, becoming one of the resort’s most desired treats.(Photo: Courtesy of Saratoga Chips) 

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George Crum - Restaurant owner George Crum unintentionally invented the potato chip during his tenure as a chef at an upscale lodge in Saratoga, New York. When a customer sent their potatoes back to the kitchen, grumbling they were too thick and soft, an irritated Crum sliced a thin new batch, frying them until they were crunchy and brown. Surprisingly, the crisps were well-received, becoming one of the resort’s most desired treats.(Photo: Courtesy of Saratoga Chips) 

Jack Johnson - While serving a one-year prison sentence for violating the Mann Act, a law often used to prohibit Black men from traveling with white women in the early 20th century, Jack Johnson improved on the traditional wrench, patenting his tool in 1922. Johnson was also the first Black heavyweight boxing champion, garnering more press than all other notable Black men combined during his reign.(Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

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Jack Johnson - While serving a one-year prison sentence for violating the Mann Act, a law often used to prohibit Black men from traveling with white women in the early 20th century, Jack Johnson improved on the traditional wrench, patenting his tool in 1922. Johnson was also the first Black heavyweight boxing champion, garnering more press than all other notable Black men combined during his reign.(Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

Dr. James E. West - In 1960, Bell Laboratories physicists James West and Gerhard Sessler were challenged to produce a compact, inexpensive microphone to replace the more costly versions utilized in most telephones. Two years later, they developed the Electroacoustic Transducer Electret Microphone, a small, durable, moderately priced mic that’s still employed today in tape recorders, camcorders, baby monitors and hearing aids.(Photo: Will Kirk) 

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Dr. James E. West - In 1960, Bell Laboratories physicists James West and Gerhard Sessler were challenged to produce a compact, inexpensive microphone to replace the more costly versions utilized in most telephones. Two years later, they developed the Electroacoustic Transducer Electret Microphone, a small, durable, moderately priced mic that’s still employed today in tape recorders, camcorders, baby monitors and hearing aids.(Photo: Will Kirk) 

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Jan E. Matzeliger - After 10 grueling years of steady and patient labor, Jan E. Matzeliger, a former sailor from Dutch Guiana, transformed the shoe industry with his invention of the Shoe-Lasting Machine. This automatic device produced 150 to 700 pairs of shoes daily, 14 times as many as expert cobblers could churn out by hand. Matzeliger's achievement made footwear more affordable for Americans.(Photo: AN ROSENSTRAUCH/MCT /Landov)

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Jan E. Matzeliger - After 10 grueling years of steady and patient labor, Jan E. Matzeliger, a former sailor from Dutch Guiana, transformed the shoe industry with his invention of the Shoe-Lasting Machine. This automatic device produced 150 to 700 pairs of shoes daily, 14 times as many as expert cobblers could churn out by hand. Matzeliger's achievement made footwear more affordable for Americans.(Photo: AN ROSENSTRAUCH/MCT /Landov)

Lonnie G. Johnson - When a homemade faucet shot water from NASA engineer Lonnie G. Johnson's bathroom sink through the air and into his tub, he was inspired to invent the world’s first pressurized water gun, the Super Soaker. Every year since its inception, the high-performance squirter has ranked among the top 10 best-selling toys of the year.(Photo: Courtesy of Hasbro) 

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Lonnie G. Johnson - When a homemade faucet shot water from NASA engineer Lonnie G. Johnson's bathroom sink through the air and into his tub, he was inspired to invent the world’s first pressurized water gun, the Super Soaker. Every year since its inception, the high-performance squirter has ranked among the top 10 best-selling toys of the year.(Photo: Courtesy of Hasbro) 

Marjorie Joyner - Committed to creating a tool that would preserve curls in women's hair, Marjorie Joyner developed the permanent waving machine, an electric hooded device with 16 slim rods, in 1928. A significant upgrade from the stove-heated curling iron, Joyner's invention was a success in both Black and white salons. She was the first African-American graduate of the A.B. Molar Beauty School and earned her bachelors from Bethune-Cookman College at age 77.(Photo: Courtesy of US Patent Office)

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Marjorie Joyner - Committed to creating a tool that would preserve curls in women's hair, Marjorie Joyner developed the permanent waving machine, an electric hooded device with 16 slim rods, in 1928. A significant upgrade from the stove-heated curling iron, Joyner's invention was a success in both Black and white salons. She was the first African-American graduate of the A.B. Molar Beauty School and earned her bachelors from Bethune-Cookman College at age 77.(Photo: Courtesy of US Patent Office)

Otis Boykin - Otis Boykin is most celebrated for his work on improved electrical resistors, which allowed electronic devices to be made more economically and reliably. IBM computers, guided missiles and the first successful implantable pacemaker all incorporated Boykin's innovative technology.(Photo: Courtesy US Patent Office)

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Otis Boykin - Otis Boykin is most celebrated for his work on improved electrical resistors, which allowed electronic devices to be made more economically and reliably. IBM computers, guided missiles and the first successful implantable pacemaker all incorporated Boykin's innovative technology.(Photo: Courtesy US Patent Office)

Sarah E. Goode - The folding cabinet bed was the genius invention of Chicago furniture storeowner Sarah E. Goode, the first African-American woman to receive a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark office. Designed to replace full-size beds that couldn’t fit in cramped apartments, Goode's space-conscious model served as a desk, stationary shelf and bed.(Photo: Courtesy of The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers)

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Sarah E. Goode - The folding cabinet bed was the genius invention of Chicago furniture storeowner Sarah E. Goode, the first African-American woman to receive a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark office. Designed to replace full-size beds that couldn’t fit in cramped apartments, Goode's space-conscious model served as a desk, stationary shelf and bed.(Photo: Courtesy of The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers)

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Thomas Stewart - Prior to Thomas Stewart's invention of the mechanically clamping mop, cleaning floors was a painful and displeasing task. People scoured surfaces on their hands and knees with scrub brushes and rags, resulting in aching backs and sore joints. Stewart's practical device improved health and sanitation across the nation.(Photo: Courtesy US Patent Office) 

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Thomas Stewart - Prior to Thomas Stewart's invention of the mechanically clamping mop, cleaning floors was a painful and displeasing task. People scoured surfaces on their hands and knees with scrub brushes and rags, resulting in aching backs and sore joints. Stewart's practical device improved health and sanitation across the nation.(Photo: Courtesy US Patent Office) 

Lloyd P. Ray - Lloyd P. Ray created the dustpan in 1897. A metal plate with a short wooden handle that allowed sweepers to collect trash without getting their hands dirty, Ray's invention quickly became a household staple.(Photo: Courtesy US Patent Office) 

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Lloyd P. Ray - Lloyd P. Ray created the dustpan in 1897. A metal plate with a short wooden handle that allowed sweepers to collect trash without getting their hands dirty, Ray's invention quickly became a household staple.(Photo: Courtesy US Patent Office)