1894

Elected to Congress on March 4, 1893, Congressman George Washington Murray focused on protecting the Black vote as well as serving on committees for education and treasury expenditures. Murray was also responsible for twelve inventions. Seven of his inventions were patented in 1894 and included a furrow opener, fertilizer distributor, and mechanical cotton chopper, among others. In his 1894 speech before the House of Representatives, Murray read the names and inventions of ninety-two Black inventors into the Congressional Record.​