Regardless of the field and profession, America's innovation landscape has been one of the best in the world. The nation owes its gratitude in part to its 22-year-old patent system and in part to the phenomenal contributions of African American inventors. Not only have they consistently participated in paving new roads of success in technology and academics, but they have also stood unshakeable in front of the long odds handed down by racial oppression. In fact, their contributions have proven to be significant in the story of scientific advancement as well as in a larger history of racial liberation.
While the US patent law was established with color-blind criteria to foster innovation, the truth is that the black inventors have remained woefully underrepresented in this system. Thus, this book honors the various African American inventors who have managed to make their names in history despite any discrimination they may have faced by the established systems.