Granville Woods

Claim to fame:

Invented an improved steam boiler furnace in 1884. Also patented more than 150 electrical devices including the original telephone system and transmitter and the railway telegraph.

Elijah McCoy

Claim to fame:

In 1872 Elijah McCoy developed the "lubricator cup" to enable machines to be oiled without being turned off. It is because of his work that the term "the real McCoy" was begun.

Jan Matzeliger

Claim to fame:

In 1891 Jan Matzeliger created the shoe lasting machine which automatically stitched the shoe leather to the side of the shoe.

Madame C.J. Walker

Claim to fame:

Madame C.J. Walker created her own cosmetics and hair care products. She began the practice of selling products door-to-door. She became the first American self-made millionaire, and had started her business with only $1.50.

James West

Claim to fame:

In 1968 James West, along with Gerhard Sessler, invented the foil-electrical microphone.

Garrett Morgan

Claim to fame:

Garrett Morgan invented the gas mask in 1912. Then in the 1920s his automatic stop light made driving safer.

Mark Dean

Claim to fame:

In the 1990s, Mark Dean developed the ISA systems bus, to allow multiple devices to be connected to a computer.