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Goode invented the cabinet bed, which consisted of a single bed folded into a writing desk. These benefited Chicago apartment dwellers with limited space.
Year:1885
Who: Sarah E. Goode (1855? - 1905)
Where: Chicago, IL
What: Sarah E. Goode was an inventor whose innovative thinking addressed the challenges of urban living in the late 19th century. She is widely recognized as one of the first African-American women to receive a U.S. patent, which she was granted on July 14, 1885, for her invention of a folding cabinet bed. Born into slavery, Sarah Jacobs (her maiden name) was freed after the Civil War and later moved to Chicago. By 1880, she was married to Archibald Goode, a carpenter, and together they sought opportunities in a rapidly industrializing city.
Goode's invention was both practical and visionary, catering to the needs of Chicago’s growing population of apartment dwellers living in tight quarters. Her folding cabinet bed was a multifunctional piece of furniture that folded into a roll-top desk, complete with compartments for writing supplies. When unfolded, it transformed into a single bed. This ingenious design not only maximized space but also added aesthetic and functional value to cramped living spaces. Goode’s creation anticipated the later development of the Murphy Bed and reflected the Victorian-era demand for versatile furniture.
Goode’s achievement was particularly remarkable given the era’s systemic barriers to women, especially African-American women, in science, technology, and entrepreneurship. Her patent symbolizes the determination and ingenuity of Black inventors during a time when their contributions were often overlooked or legally suppressed.
In recognition of her legacy, the Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, a high school focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, was established in Chicago in 2012. Her contributions were also celebrated in a 2001 Virginia resolution marking February 25 as a day to honor African-American scientists and inventors. Goode’s invention continues to inspire, standing as a testament to her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Sources:
Websites:
Black Inventors Hall of Fame. (n.d.). Charter Inductees: Sarah E. Goode. https://bihof.org/charter-inductees-1
Google Patents. (n.d.). Patent US322177A - Cabinet Bed by Sarah E. Goode. https://patents.google.com/patent/US322177A/en
University of Chicago Library. (n.d.). Women Who Made Legal History: Sarah E. Goode. https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/about/news/women-who-made-legal-history-sarah-e-goode/
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