Year: 1930

Who: Benjamin Thornton

Where: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

In 1930, Benjamin F. Thornton, an African American inventor from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, transformed telecommunications by patenting an apparatus for automatically recording telephone messages. His invention allowed callers to leave recorded messages when the recipient was unavailable, addressing the prevalent issue of missed communications. Thornton's design featured a turntable for a record disc, an electric motor for operation, and an electric switch connecting it to the telephone line. This innovative device not only recorded messages but also tracked the time they were made, showcasing Thornton's foresight in enhancing telephonic communication.

Thornton's expertise extended beyond this invention. His work laid the groundwork for future advancements in voice recording and playback technologies, influencing the development of modern answering machines. Despite operating in an era marked by significant racial discrimination, Thornton's contributions challenged societal norms and highlighted the critical role of African American inventors in technological progress.

Today, Benjamin F. Thornton's legacy is preserved through the widespread use of answering machines and voicemail systems, integral components of contemporary communication. His pioneering work is celebrated as a testament to innovation and perseverance, reflecting broader themes of overcoming adversity and inspiring future generations to pursue inventive solutions that address everyday challenges.

Sources:

Websites:

• Black American Library Series. (2023, March 15). Benjamin Thornton and the invention of the answering machine. Black American Library Series. https://www.blackamericalibraryseries.com/post/benjamin-thornton-answering-machine

• Thornton, B. F. (1931). Apparatus for automatically recording telephonic messages. U.S. Patent No. 1,831,331. https://patents.google.com/patent/US1831331A/en