Transcript Document

African-American
History Month
Did you know?
• The lives of Black Americans were
not studied or included in history
until the early 1900’s
• In 1915 Dr. Carter G. Woodson
started the “Association of Negro
Life and History”
Did you also know…
• In 1926 as a forum to share
information Dr. Woodson started,
“Negro History Week”
• The second week in February was
chosen to honor Abraham Lincoln
and Frederick Douglas whose birth
dates are that week
By the 1970’s the week long
celebration became a month
long celebration of AfricanAmerican accomplishments and
contributions to society and
the world.
Fostering environments that are
inclusive and welcoming include
being aware of, celebrating, and
recognizing the contributions of
all people and cultures.
Benjamin Banneker
Inventor, Agriculturalist,
Writer, City Planner
* Born in 1731 near Baltimore, Maryland, the son of a slave
* After studying a wrist watch, Banneker built the first clock ever in
the United States.
* Grew grain in previously barren areas to feed American troops
during the Revolutionary War
* Developed his first almanac, predicting weather/seasonal changes
* Extremely involved in the initial layout of streets and buildings in
Washington D.C.
George Washington
Carver, Jr.
Former Slave, Educator, Scientist
* B.S. from Iowa State College in Agriculture (1894): M.S. (1896)
* His research developed 325 products from peanuts, 108
applications for sweet potatoes, and 75 products from pecans.
* He developed 118 industrial applications from agricultural
products, including a rubber substitute and over 500
dyes/pigments from 28 different plants.
Ida Stephens Owen
Biochemist
* Received Ph.D. in Biology-Physiology from Duke University in 1967.
* At the National Institutes of Health (NIH) she conducts studies in
the genetics of detoxification enzymes, research that is aimed at
shedding light on how the human body defends itself against poison.
* Currently is with the Section of Genetic Disorders of Drug
Metabolism, National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development
Charles Henry Turner
Zoologist and Entomologist
* Credited for being the first researcher to prove that insects can
hear and can also distinguish pitch
* His research determined that roaches can learn by trial and error
* This exploration into insect learning systems gave Turner the
distinction of being an authority on behavioral patterns of ants
and spiders.
Norbert Rillieux
Sugar Chemist and Inventor
* Invented a sugar refining process that reduced the time, cost, and
safety risk involved in producing sugar from cane and beets.
* "It was stated by Charles Brown, a chemist in the US Department
of Agriculture, that [Rillieux's invention of the sugar processing pan]
was the greatest invention in the history of American Chemical
Engineering." (Simmons)
Joseph Lee
Inventor
* Born in 1849 and lived most of his life in Boston, becoming very
prominent in the food services industry
* Invented and patented a device to automate tearing, crumbling
and grinding bread into bread crumbs thus using bread that would
have been wasted
* Invented the first automatic bread making machine
Ernest Everett Just
Zoologist, Biologist, Physiologist,
Research Scientist
* Graduated from Dartmouth College in 1907 with special honors in
botany and sociology.
* In 1924 Dr. Just was selected by a group of German biologists to
contribute to a monograph on fertilization.
* His inherent ability, scientific training, creative imagination, and
industry were the basis for success in his field of zoology.
Lloyd Augustus Hall
Chemist and Inventor
* Responsible for the meat curing products, seasonings, emulsions,
bakery products, antioxidants, protein hydrolysates, and many
other products to retain food freshness and flavor
* After his retirement, be became a consultant to the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Henry Blair
Inventor
* The second Black inventor issued a patent by the United States
Patent Office
* His first invention was a seed planter which enabled farmers to
plant more corn utilizing less labor in a smaller period of time.
* Two years later, in 1836, Blair received a second patent for a corn
harvester.
Granville T. Woods
Inventor
* Patented over 35 electrical and mechanical inventions.
* Born in Columbus, Ohio in April 23, 1856, Woods literally learned
his skills on the job.
* Woods invented the Synchonous Multiplex Railway Telegraph which
allowed trains to communicate with stations, averting many
accidents.
* Other inventions included egg incubators and advancements on
air brakes.
Leon Raymon Roddy
Entomologist
* Born in 1922 and received his Bachelor of Science from
Texas College and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University.
* Professor at Southern University, Baton Rouge. Louisiana.
* His research interest is the classifications of spiders.
George Murray
Teacher, Farmer, Land Developer
& Inventor
* Born in South Carolina in 1853 and spent his first 13 years as
a slave
* Attended South Carolina University and the State Normal Institute
* For the next 20 years served as a teacher and customs inspector
* Elected as U.S. Congressman in 1892
* Secured patents for 8 inventions, including cultivating and fertilizing
equipment and a cotton chopper