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Year:1883
Who: Humphrey H. Reynolds
Where: Minneapolis, MN
What: Humphrey H. Reynolds, a Black inventor, patented a window ventilator for railway cars in 1883 (U.S. Patent No. 275,271). His invention improved the air quality inside train cars by allowing fresh air to flow in while preventing dust, cinders, and insects from entering. This was achieved through a system of wire screens of varying fineness and a series of deflectors, ensuring that the passengers received clean and refreshing air without discomfort from drafts.
Despite his significant contribution, the company Reynolds worked for installed his invention without compensating him. He took legal action and successfully won $10,000 in infringement damages, securing recognition for his work. Reynolds' ventilator made railway travel more comfortable and safer, showcasing his ingenuity in improving daily experiences through innovative solutions. However, like many Black inventors of the time, his achievements were largely unrecognized beyond this legal battle, highlighting the systemic challenges Black innovators faced in receiving credit and compensation for their contributions.
Sources:
Journal Articles:
Swanson, K. W. (2022). Centering Black women inventors: Passing and the patent archive. Stanford Technology Law Review, 25, 305
Websites:
Google Patents. (n.d.). Patent US275271A - Invention by an African American Innovator. https://patents.google.com/patent/US275271A/en
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-25-7368
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