I think every Elementary teacher should teach a unit on Black Inventors. When you talk about suppression and lack of appreciation and knowledge of Black accomplishments, this is the awesomeness of a people who are in a asleep state. Here are some of the inventions we discovered as a learning community:
mop
ironing board
super soaker
Drybath
Multiple uses of Peanut butter
Electroacoustic microphone
Automated traffic light
gas mask
The cardiopad
hot comb
Squat Machine
cotton gin
mountain bike steering system
blood banking
light bulb improvement
home security system
modern day shoe lasting machine
3D film graphics
potato chips
The fireproof safe
Home video game system
Removing cataract with a Laser
Mobile refrigeration
Ice cream scooper
Ice cream
a technology the allows an elevator to safely open and close
were all invented by people of African descent. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as we have not had the opportunity to explore more. My students loved this unit, and they really enjoyed the history in the present notion. By that I mean, they flipped there wigs when the learned that Lonnie Johnson, inventor of the Super Soaker was still alive. Arthur Zang, inventor of the Cardiopad, and the inventor of Dry Bath are both under 30!
We had the opportunity to differentiate between inventions made purposefully and those invented by accident. We delved into the marginalization of African-Americans historically, looking closely at each inventor we studied to discern if the inventor was given credit for their innovation, idea, or invention.
We also sparked debate regarding weather particular inventions are luxuries or necessities, which will be the kick-starter to our unit on opinion writing. Pictures will follow on timelines my students created.
As always thank you for reading!
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