Year: 1868

Who: Samuel R. Scottron (1843 – 1905)​

Where: New York​

What: Samuel Scottron was a talented inventor and businessman of the late 19th century, known for his groundbreaking work in household products and his contributions to race-related activism. Born around 1841 or 1843, his family moved to New York in 1849, where Scottron would go on to make his mark. After completing grammar school at fourteen, he worked for his father’s business and later started a grocery store chain in Florida. His first significant invention came in 1868 when he patented the Scottron Mirror, an adjustable mirror designed to help people see the back of their heads. This innovative design gained him recognition and set the stage for further successes.

In the years following, Scottron became increasingly involved in social activism and politics. He represented his community at the 1865 National Colored Convention in Syracuse, New York, and in 1872, co-founded the Cuban Anti-Slavery Society with abolitionist Rev. Henry Highland Garnet. In 1875, Scottron graduated from Cooper Union with a degree in Algebra and Engineering, further bolstering his credibility as an inventor.

Scottron went on to create and patent several other inventions, including curtain rods, supporting brackets, and a cornice design, many of which were produced under his own direction. His determination to manufacture his inventions rather than assign his patents to others was rare for inventors of his time, and he actively promoted entrepreneurship within the Black community. Beyond household products, Scottron also invented a "leather hand strap device" for use on trolley cars and perfected a method for creating synthetic onyx.

Alongside his inventions, Scottron’s involvement in activism continued as he wrote for several publications, advocating for racial equality and the advancement of Black business. He also served on the Brooklyn Board of Education, becoming its only African American member. Samuel Scottron passed away in 1908, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, social contribution, and a family lineage that would include notable figures like his great-granddaughter, actress Lena Horne.​

Sources:

Website:

• Dixon, E. A. (2024, July 18). Samuel Raymond Scottron (ca. 1843-1905) •. Black Past. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/scrottron-samuel-raymond-1843-1905/

• James, P. (2021, September 26). 300 years of African-American invention and Innovation. The MIT Press Reader. https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/300-years-of-african-american-invention-and-innovation/#easy-footnote-33-7368​

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