Joseph Hawkins was a free African American inventor from New York City who patented an “Improvement in Gridirons.” His patent, U.S. Patent No. 3,973, was granted on March 26, 1845.
His invention, the “Gridiron,” was a significant improvement on existing cooking utensils used for broiling food over an open flame.
A gridiron, in the context of this invention, refers to a cooking utensil with parallel metal bars used for broiling food over a fire, whether a campfire or inside a fireplace or oven. Prior to Hawkins’s invention, fats and juices from cooking meat often dripped directly onto the fire, causing smoke, flare-ups, and potentially burning the food or ruining its flavor.
Key aspects of Joseph Hawkins’s improved gridiron:
- Gravy-Catching System: The most significant innovation was the design of the bars and a trough system to collect the drippings (gravy or fat) from the meat.
- He used concave-convex or “cima recta” shaped bars that were placed parallel to and overlapping each other. As the meat cooked, the juices would run over the convex surfaces of the bars into their concave surfaces.
- These concave surfaces would then direct the collected liquid into a circular trough (or a similar trough in a square design) located beneath the cooking surface.
- Spout and Receiver: The trough was equipped with a spout that allowed the collected gravy to be discharged into a receiver, saving all the liquid which fell from the meat during cooking.
- Preventing Smoke and Burning: By collecting the drippings, Hawkins’s design prevented fat from falling directly onto the fire, thereby minimizing smoke and avoiding the burning of the juices that could impart an undesirable flavor to the meat.
- Maintained Heat Passage: Crucially, the design ensured that the bars were still sufficiently open to allow heat to pass through and cook the meat effectively.
- Versatile Design: The patent noted that the gridiron could be made in various shapes (round or square) and from different materials (wrought or cast iron). He also described an alternative using alternating “ovolo” and “cavetto” shaped bars to achieve the same gravy-saving result.
Joseph Hawkins’s invention was a practical improvement for home cooking, making broiling healthier (by draining fat) and more flavorful by preserving the meat’s juices and preventing burning and smoke. This innovation is sometimes seen as a precursor to modern grill pans and grill grates with drip-catching features. He was from West Windsor, New Jersey.
Personal and Historical Significance:
- Early African American Patent: Joseph Hawkins’ patent is historically significant as it is one of the relatively few patents granted to an African American inventor before the Civil War and the Dred Scott decision of 1857, which effectively halted patent grants to Black Americans (free or enslaved) for a period. His ability to secure a patent demonstrates that, despite immense systemic racial barriers, some free Black individuals were able to navigate the legal system to protect their intellectual property.
- Everyday Practicality: This invention directly addressed a common household and culinary problem. It improved a widely used cooking implement, making broiling more efficient, cleaner, and the resulting food more flavorful. It reflects the ingenuity of African American inventors in solving practical, everyday challenges that benefited the wider population.
- Symbol of Ingenuity Amidst Adversity: In an era where African Americans faced profound discrimination and their intellectual capabilities were often denied, inventions like Hawkins’ gridiron served as quiet but powerful testimonies to their intelligence, creativity, and contributions to American society. Each patent secured by a Black inventor before the Civil War was a small victory against the prevailing racism of the time.
- Contribution to Domestic Technology: His invention falls into the category of domestic technology, which was a vital area of innovation in the 19th century, improving efficiency and comfort in homes.
Joseph Hawkins’ gridiron, while seemingly a simple kitchen tool, represents a significant mark in the history of African American innovation and stands as a testament to the perseverance and inventiveness of Black Americans in the face of daunting pre-Civil War prejudices.
