Product Description

Meet the black inventors who lived their dreams—from the early years to modern times

Benjamin Banneker

Andrew Jackson Beard

George E. Carruthers, Ph.D.

George Washington Carver

Michael Croslin, Ph.D.

David Nelson Crosthwait Jr.

Charles Richard Drew, M.D.

Meredith Gourdine, Ph.D.

Claude Harvard

Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D.

Frederick McKinley Jones

Percy Lavon Julian, Ph.D.

Ernest Everett Just, Ph.D.

Lewis Howard Latimer

Jan Earnst Matzeliger

Elijah McCoy

Benjamin Montgomery

John P. Moon

Garrett Augustus Morgan

Norbert Rillieux

Earl D. Shaw, Ph.D.

Madame C. J. Walker

Daniel Hale Williams, M.D.

Granville T. Woods

Jane Cooke Wright, M.D.

For more than three centuries, African American inventors have been coming up with ingenious ideas. In fact, it is impossible to really know American history without also learning about the contributions of black discoverers. This collection brings their stories to life.

In every era, black inventors have made people's lives safer, more comfortable, more convenient, and more profitable. This inspiring, comprehensive collection shines history's spotlight on these courageous inventors and discoverers. One by one, they persevered, despite prejudice and obstacles to education and training. These stories show you how:

• Benjamin Montgomery, born a slave, invented a propeller that improved steamboat navigation.
• Jan Earnst Matzeliger, the son of a Dutch engineer, invented a machine that revolutionized the shoe manufacturing industry.
• Madame C. J. Walker, born two years after the Civil War emancipated her parents, invented a product that helped make her a millionaire.
• Dr. George E. Carruthers, an astrophysicist, invented the lunar surface ultraviolet camera/spectrograph for Apollo 16.
• Dr. Jane Cooke Wright, a third-generation physician and pioneer in the field of cancer research discovered a method for testing which drugs to use to fight specific cancers. Dr. Wright became the first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society and the first African American woman to serve as dean of a medical college.

This outstanding collection brings to light these and dozens of other exciting and surprising tales of inventors and discoverers who lived their dreams.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105378 in Books
• Published on: 1998-05-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 176 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780471148043
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10ATracing the achievements of innovators from the 18th century to the present, Sullivan presents a range of creative people, and places each story within the context of the struggle for equal rights and opportunities. While some of the 25 entries are standards (Benjamin Banneker), others are less well-known (David Nelson Crosthwait, Jr., Jane Cooke Wright). Unfortunately, this title focuses primarily on men; only three women are included. On many levels, however, it succeeds. In each biographical sketch, sidebars highlight specific parts of the inventor's story, often expanding on the inventions or relating a personal anecdote. Definitions appear in the margins, enabling readers to grasp the often technical nature of these innnovations. Black-and-white photos and illustrations supplement the text. A worthy companion to Jim Haskins's Outward Dreams (Walker, 1991) and Robert C. Hayden's Nine African-American Inventors (21st Century Bks., 1992).ACarol Fazioli, Cardinal Hayes Library, Manhattan College, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. Although some of these inventors have had individual books written about them (Benjamin Banneker) and others have been included in other collective biographies (especially Madame C. J. Walker), there is enough variety and range to make this a worthwhile purchase. It is also a particularly engaging book to read; Sullivan highlights those aspects of the subjects' lives that will interest readers the most and writes about them with insight. The book is attractive, too, with lots of historical engravings and photographs. Among the people profiled in the two-or three-page spreads are Garrett Morgan, who invented the gas mask; Dr. Charles Drew, who did pioneering research in blood donation; and John Moon, who developed floppy disks. Chronology; notes; bibliography. Ilene Cooper

From Kirkus Reviews
Although this summary account of 25 inventors (plus mentions of several more) effectively conveys the inspirational message that racially motivated obstacles can be overcome given sufficient talent and determination, it is still a marginal entrylacking focus and with background material of uneven qualityin an increasingly well-populated field. After opening with broad and unsupported claims that African Americans developed the fountain pen, cellular phone, toilet, typewriter, and several other familiar items, Sullivan offers a gallery of inventors in chronological order, beginning with Benjamin Banneker, including George Washington Carver and Madame C.J. Walker, and closing with eight who are still livingnone born after 1946. Each gets three to six pages of anecdotes and sometimes unenlightening descriptions of inventions (Granville T. Woods ``developed several devices that led to the automatic air brake''; working with lasers, Earl D. Shaw ``successfully discovered how to tune the wavelength by turning a knob''), an occasional patent drawing, and random passages co-opted as sidebars. Three people, including two of the three women here, are scientists but not credited with any specific inventions. A chronology that cuts off at 1983, a thin bibliography, and endnotes citing a mix of primary material and sources such as Reader's Digest and a 1996 calendar, comprise the back matter. Those seeking information on this subject will be better served by books such as Louis Haber's Black Pioneers of Science and Invention (1991) or individual biographies. (index, not seen) (Biography. 10-12) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

African American Inventors (Black Stars Series)
African American Inventors (Black Stars Series)

What a great book! I highly recommend this book if you have ever wondered where can I find information about African American Inventors. I found that the information was very insightful and informative to both myself and to my son. The content is easy to read and allows the reader to see (if you will) first hand just how difficult it was (is) for minorities to overcome ignorance in order to enhance the betterment of mankind through technology!

In a nutshell this book is excellent resource for all students of all races and creeds. African American Inventors is also a great book for young inventors who may need a little encouragement and hope in a pseudo biased world.

Finally, as a parent I give this book two thumbs up!

African American Inventors
African American Inventors (Black Stars Series)

What a great book! I highly recommend this book if you have ever wondered where one may find information about African American Inventors. I found that the information contained within this book was very insightful and informative. The content is easy to read and allows the reader to see (if you will) first hand just how difficult it was (is) for minorities to overcome ignorance in order to contribute and enhance the betterment of all mankind through technology!

In a nutshell this book is excellent resource for all students of all races and creeds. African American Inventors is also a great book for young inventors who may need a little encouragement and hope in seeing their dreams become reality.

Finally, as a parent I give this book two thumbs up!

young readers book club of Conyers review
We love the book. It is an advanced book for our group, but we found it to be educational, historical, and that it completely covers the fundamentals of African American inventors historical path. This is definitly a book we all would recomend. We loved reading it.