Year: 1889

Who: Washington Martin

Where: USA

 In 1889, African American inventor W. A. Martin revolutionized security technology by patenting a significant improvement to the ancient bolt lock, which had remained largely unchanged for approximately 4,000 years. Martin's innovation featured a cylinder and spiral spring coiled around a metal pin, laying the groundwork for modern door locks. A

This advancement not only enhanced the functionality and reliability of locking mechanisms but also demonstrated the ingenuity of African American inventors in contributing to essential everyday technologies. Martin's work exemplifies how innovation can build upon centuries-old designs to create more efficient and secure solutions.

Sources:

Websites:

• African American Registry. (n.d.). Black inventor patents first lock improvement in 4000 years. African American Registry. https://aaregistry.org/story/black-inventor-patents-first-lock-improvement-in-4000-years/