Year: 1900​

Who: Henry E. Baker​

Where: House of Representatives, Cotton Centennial in New Orleans, the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the Southern Expositions in Atlanta, U.S. exhibit’s Negro Department, and the Jamestown Exposition​

What: Henry E. Baker devoted his career to documenting and publicizing the contributions of Black inventors, uncovering stories of ingenuity that had been marginalized or overlooked in American history. A lawyer and assistant patent examiner, Baker was instrumental in creating a comprehensive record of African American inventors, their patented innovations, and their broader contributions to industrial progress. His pioneering research culminated in a list of 92 patents by Black inventors, which U.S. Representative George Washington Murray, himself an inventor and the only Black member of Congress at the time, read before the House of Representatives on August 10, 1894. The list showcased a wide range of inventions, from steam engine improvements to game tables, highlighting the technological acumen of African Americans during a period of rapid industrialization.

Baker’s work provided the foundation for Murray’s assertion that African Americans had "proven in almost every line that we are...capable of making almost anything that other people can make or have made." This declaration underscored the inventiveness of Black Americans and their potential to contribute to the nation's progress despite systemic barriers. Over the years, Baker expanded his research, identifying over 400 patented African American inventors and many more who pursued patents but faced obstacles.

Baker’s research not only fueled congressional debates but also informed public exhibitions, such as the U.S. Commission to the Paris Exposition in 1900, where the achievements of Black inventors were celebrated on an international stage. His meticulous documentation of patents connected him to figures like Murray, whose own inventions reflected practical solutions for small-scale farmers, many of whom were Black. Together, Baker and Murray worked to elevate the contributions of Black inventors, crafting a legacy that intertwined technological progress with the pursuit of racial equality and social justice. Their efforts remain a testament to resilience and innovation during a transformative era in American history.

Sources:

Websites:

• MIT Press. (n.d.). 300 Years of African American Invention and Innovation. https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/300-years-of-african-american-invention-and-innovation/#easy-footnote-33-7368

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (n.d.). Found: Baker’s List of African American Patent Holders. https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/journeys-innovation/historical-stories/found-bakers-list