The period between 1860 and 1900 was a transformative era for African American inventors, marking a significant shift from the limitations of slavery to a burgeoning, though still challenging, opportunity to contribute to American innovation. The significance of their inventions during this time can be understood through several lenses:
1. A Symbol of Freedom and Agency:
- Overcoming Legal Barriers: The end of the Civil War and the passage of the 13th and 14th Amendments (abolishing slavery and granting citizenship, respectively) fundamentally changed the legal landscape. For the first time, African Americans could legally apply for and hold patents in their own names. This act of securing a patent was a powerful symbol of their newfound freedom, citizenship, and intellectual capability, directly refuting racist notions of inferiority that had underpinned slavery.
- Assertion of Intellectual Property: Owning a patent was a tangible assertion of intellectual property rights and a means to gain social status and economic mobility, which were often denied through other avenues.
2. Direct Contributions to Industrialization and Everyday Life:
- Driving Economic Progress: This period coincided with the peak of the Second Industrial Revolution in the United States. African American inventors made crucial contributions to key industries that were driving this growth.
- Railroads: Inventors like Elijah McCoy (automatic lubricators, making trains and machinery run continuously and safely, leading to the phrase “the real McCoy”) and Granville T. Woods (multiplex telegraph, induction telegraph system, railway braking, and electric railway systems, significantly improving railroad safety and communication) were indispensable to the burgeoning railway network. Andrew Jackson Beard‘s “Jenny coupler” revolutionized train car coupling, preventing countless injuries and deaths.
- Manufacturing: Jan Matzeliger’s shoe lasting machine mechanized a critical bottleneck in shoe manufacturing, drastically increasing production and making shoes more affordable for the general public.
- Domestic and Urban Life: Many inventions focused on improving daily life and urban infrastructure. Examples include Sarah Boone’s improved ironing board, Samuel R. Scottron’s adjustable mirror for barbershops and window cornices, Powell Johnson’s eye protector (early safety eyewear), Joseph W. Waller’s shoemaker’s cabinet, William B. Purvis’s bag fasteners and hand stamps, and James Wormley’s life-saving apparatus for ships.
- Agricultural Efficiency: With a large portion of the Black population still involved in agriculture, inventions like Ralph W. Alexander’s corn planter check-rower significantly improved planting efficiency and crop management.
3. Economic and Social Impact:
- Wealth Generation (Limited but Significant): While many inventors faced challenges in commercializing their inventions or were forced to sell their rights cheaply (like Ellen Eglin), some, like Elijah McCoy and Andrew Jackson Beard, managed to accrue significant wealth or generate substantial royalties from their patents. This demonstrated potential pathways to economic independence for African Americans.
- Inspiration and Role Models: The success of these inventors, though often obscured by historical neglect, served as an inspiration for future generations of Black Americans, showcasing the power of ingenuity and perseverance despite systemic oppression. Figures like Granville T. Woods, nicknamed “the Black Edison,” became celebrated examples within the Black community.
- Publicity and Advocacy: Prominent Black leaders and institutions, including Booker T. Washington and eventually the U.S. Patent Office’s own Henry E. Baker (an African American patent examiner), actively sought to document and publicize the achievements of Black inventors. This was a deliberate effort to counter racist narratives and highlight Black contributions to national progress.
4. Persistent Challenges:
- Despite the legal changes, inventors still faced immense challenges due to systemic racism, including:
- Limited Access to Capital: Difficulty securing funding for research, development, and manufacturing.
- Commercialization Barriers: Prejudice often made it hard to market and sell products to a wider (white) audience. Some inventors even hired white actors to present their products at trade shows.
- Exclusion from Networks: Limited access to professional societies, higher education, and established business networks.
- Violence and Repression: As economist Lisa Cook’s research shows, the rise of Jim Crow laws and racial violence, particularly in the South, actively suppressed Black patenting rates towards the end of this period.
In conclusion, African American inventions between 1860 and 1900 were profoundly significant. They were not only critical to the technological and economic advancement of the United States, particularly in industries like transportation and manufacturing, but they also represented powerful assertions of freedom, citizenship, and intellectual prowess in a deeply discriminatory society. These innovations laid groundwork for future advancements and continue to serve as a testament to the enduring ingenuity of African Americans. Click below to learn more about these great innovators:
1860 – 1879
- Improvements in animal traps – Henry Lee – 1867 – Patent: US61941A
- Improvements in Shoes – William A Dietz – 1867 – Patent: US64205A
- Dual-adjustable mirror for barbershop – Samuel R. Scottron – 1868 – Patent: US76253A
- Improvement in wagons – John W. West – 1870 – Patent: US108409A
- Improvement in portable shields for infantry and artillery – Harde Spears – 1870 – Patent: US110599A
- Corn Harvester – William Murray – 1870 – Patent: US99463A
- Combined dining ironing table and quilting frame – Thomas Elkins – 1870 – Patent: US100020A
- Locomotive Smoke Stack – Landrow Bell – 1871 – Patent: US115153A
- Chamber commode – Thomas Elkins – 1872 – Patent: US122518A
- Dough Kneader – Landrow Bell – 1872 – Patent: US133823A
- Improvement in Holders for Reins for Horses – Turner Byrd Jr. – 1872 – Patent: US123328A
- Apparatus for Detaching Horses from Carriages – Turner Byrd Jr. – 1872 – Patent: US124790A
- Improvement in fire extinguishers – Thomas J. Martin – 1872 – Patent: US125063A
- Improvement in Neck Yokes for Wagons – Turner Byrd Jr. – 1872 – Patent: US126181A
- Automatic oil cup and subsequent improvements – Elijah McCoy – 1872 Patent: US129843A
- Improvement in lubricators for steam-engines – Elijah McCoy – 1872 Patent: US130305A
- Improvement in lubricators – Elijah McCoy – 1873 Patent: US139407A
- Steam table – Mary Jones Deleon – 1873 – Patent: US140253A
- Improvement in car couplings – Turner Byrd Jr. – 157370 – Patent: US157370A
- Improvement in steam-lubricators – Elijah McCoy – 1874 Patent: US146697A
- Water Closets for Railway Cars – C. W. Brown, L. H. Latimer – 1874 – Patent: US147363A
- Improvement in cotton cultivators – Edward H. Sutton – 1874 – Patent: US149543A
- Improvement in ironing tables – Elijah McCoy – 1874 – Patent: US150876A
- Improvement in scaffolds – Henry Pickett – 1874 – Patent: US152511A
- Improvement in life-preserving stools – Henry H. Nash – 1875 -Patent: US168519A
- Biscuit Cutter – Alexander P. Ashbourne – 1875 – Patent: US170460A
- Joiners- clamp – David A Fischer Jr. – 1875 – Patent: US162281A
- Processes for Preparing and Treating Coconut – Alexander P. Ashbourne – 1875 – Patents: US163962A
- Improvement in steam-cylinder lubricators – Elijah McCoy – 1876 Patent: US173032A
- Furniture casters – David A Fischer Jr. – 1876 – Patent: US174794A
- Improvement in steam-cylinder lubricators – Elijah McCoy – 1876 Patent: US179585A
- Ranges – Thomas A. Carrington – 1876 – Patent: US180323A
- Improvement in processes of treating cocoa-nut – 1877 – Patent: US194287A
- Doorknob, Doorstop – Osbourne Dorsey – 1878 – Patent: US210764A
- Improvement in rotary engines – Benjamin H. Taylor – 1878 – Patent: US202888A
- Fire escape ladder – Joseph R Winters – 1878 – Patent: US203517A,
- Improvement in printing presses – William A. Lavalette – 1878 – Patent: US208184A
- Library table – William R. Davis Jr. – 1878 – Patent: US208378A
- Fire Escape Ladder – Joseph R Winters – 1879 – Patent: US214224A
- Refrigerating apparatus – Thomas Elkins – 1879 – Patent: US221222A
- Ladder Scaffold Support – William M. Bailus – 1879 – Patent: US218154A
- Improvement in screw presses – Peter R. Campbell – 1879 – Patent: US213871A
- Street sprinkling Apparatus – M. William Binga – 1879 – Patent: US217843A
1880 – 1889
- Refining cocoanut-oil – Alexander P. Ashbourne – 1880 – Patent: US230518A
- Eye Protector – Powell Johnson – 1880 – Patent: US234039A
- Shoemakers cabinet or bench – Joseph W. Waller – 1880 – Patent: US224253A
- Hand-power attachment for sewing machines – Charles T. Christmas – 1880 – Patent: US226492A
- Baling press – Charles T. Christmas – 1880 – Patent: US228036A
- Bale band tightener – Charles T. Christmas – 1880 – Patent: US231273A
- File holder – Traverse B. Pinn – 1880 – Patent: US231355A
- Clothes Wringer- Ellen F. Eglin – 1880
- Swinging chair – Payton Johnson – 1881 – Patent: US249530A
- Lifesaving apparatus – James Wormley – 1881 – Patent: 242091
- Self Setting Animal Trap – William S, Campbell – 1881 – Patent: US246369A
- Fire Escape Ladder – Joseph R Winters – 1882 – Patent: US258186A
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1882 Patent: US255443A
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1882 Patent: US261166A
- Window ventilator for railroad cars – Humphrey H. Reynolds – 1883 – US275271A
- Electric lamp (co-inventor Joseph V. Nichols) Carbon filament for light bulb – Lewis Latimer – 1881 – Patent: US247097A
- Process 0f Manufacturing Carbons – Lewis H. Latimer – 1882 – Patent: US252386A
- Hame fastener – Albert C. Richardson – 1882 – Patent: 255022
- Globe supporter for electric lamps – Lewis Lattimer – 1882 – Patent: 255212
- Bridal Bit – Ellis Little- 1882 – Patent: 254666
- Corn planter check rower – Ralph W. Alexander – 1882 – Patent: 256610
- Fastener for bag – Willam B. Purvis – 1882 – Patent: 256856
- Adjustable window cornice – Samuel R. Scottron – 1883 – Patent: 270851
- Waste trap – Samuel E. Thomas – 1883 – Patent: 286746
- Hand stamp – William B. Purvis – 1883 – Patent: 273149
- Automatic method for lasting shoes – Jan Ernst Matzeliger – 1883 – Patent: 274207
- Shutter and fastening – Jonas Cooper – 1883 – 276563
- Corn husking machine – Wade Washington – 1883 – 283173
- Combined Truss and Bandage – Leonard C. Bailey – 1883 – 285545
- Device for aid in vocal culture – Charles Lewis Mitchell – 291071
- Telephone transmitter – Granville T. Woods – 1884 – 308817
- Nut lock – Erastus J. Clark – 1884 – 308876
- Paper bag machine – William B. Purvis – 1884 – 293353
- Rotary Egg Beater – Willis Johnson – 1884 – 292821
- Hand Corn Shelling Device – Lockrum Blue – 1884 – 298937
- Steam boiler furnace – Granville T. Woods – 1884 – 299894
- Lantern or lamp – Michael C. Harney – 1884 – 303844
- Carpet beating machine – Titus S. Church – 1884 – 302237
- Follower-screw for tobacco presses – John Percial Parker – 1884 – 304552
- Dough kneader and roller – Judy W. Reed – 1884 – 305474
- Sled propeller – George T. Sampson – 1885 – 312388
- Automatic stop plug for gas and oil pipes – William Francis Cosgrove – 1885 – 313993
- Steam feed-water trap – Henry Creamer – 1885 – 313854
- Type-writing machine (co-inventor Newman R. Marshman) – Lee S. Burridge – 1885 – US315386A
- Apparatus for transmissions of messages by electricity – Granville T. Woods – 1885 – 315368
- Portable screw-press – John Percial Parker – 1885 – 318285
- Steam Dome for locomotives – Elijah McCoy – 1885 – US320354A
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1885 – US320379A
- Folding Cabinet bed – Sarah E. Goode – 1885 – 322177
- Umbrella Stand – William C. Carter – 1885 – 323397
- Apparatus for cooling and disinfecting (co-inventor John Tregoning) – Lewis Howard Latimer – 1886 – 334078
- Foot power hammer – Minnis Headen – 1886 – 350363
- Receptacle for Storing and Preserving Papers – Henry Brown – 1886 – 352036
- Tonic – Israel D. Davis – 1886 – 351829
- Guitar – Robert F., Flemmings Jr. – 1886 – 338727
- Horseshoe – James Ricks – 1886 – 338781
- Grain binder – Willis Marshall – 1886 – 341589
- Cotton chopper – William H. Richardson – 1886 – 343140
- Pole tip – Samuel R. Scottron – 1886 – 349525
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1887 Patent: US357491A
- Lubricator attachment – Elijah McCoy – 1887 Patent: US361435A
- Lubricator for slide-valves – Elijah McCoy – 1887 Patent: US363529A
- Elevator –Automatic elevator doors – Alexander Miles – 1887 – 371207
- Telephone system and apparatus – Granville T. Woods – 1887 – 371241
- Electromagnetic brake apparatus – Granville T. Woods – 1887 – 371655
- Harness attachment – Randall Hawkins – 1887 – 370943
- Waste trap for basins and water closets – Samuel E. Thomas – 1887 – 371107
- Machine for forming vehicle seat bars – Enos W. Stewart – 1887 – 373698
- Induction telegraph system – Granville T. Woods – 1887 – 373915
- Metal bending machine – Thomas Stewart – 1887 – 375512
- Dinner pail – John Robinson – 1887 – 356852
- Motor – James Gregory – 1887 – 361937
- Game table – William R., Davis Jr – 1887 – 362611
- Feed rack – Dennis W. Shorter – 1887 – 363089
- Spring gun – Edward R Lewis – 1887 – 362096
- Punching machine – Enos W. Stewart – 1887 – 362190
- Relay instrument – Granville T. Woods – 1887 – 364619
- Polarized relay – Granville T. Woods – 1887 – 366192
- Electromechanical brake – Granville T. Woods – 1887 -368265
- Railway Signal – Albert B. Blackburn – 1888 – 376362
- Steam trap – Henry Creamer – 1888 – 376586
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1888 – Patent: US383746A
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1888 Patent: US383754A
- Draft regulator – Phillip W. Cornwell – 1888 – 390284
- Cash Carrier – Albert B. Blackburn – 1888 – 391577
- Trestle – Obadian B. Clare – 1888 – 390753
- Pipe connection – Samuel E. Thomas – 1888 – 390821
- Harness attachment – John Sidney Coolidge – 392908
- Composition for cleaning and preserving carpets – Robert N. Hyde – 1888 – 392205
- Steam trap and feeder – Henry Creamer – 1888 – 394463
- Horseshoe – Moses Payne – 1888 – 394388
- Paint vehicle – William A. Johnson – 1888 – 393763
- Direct acting steam engine – Frank Winn – 1888 – 394047
- Spring Seat for Chairs – Albert B. Blackburn – 1888 – 380420
- Overhead conducting system for electric railways – Granville T. Woods – 1888 – 383844
- Velocipede – Matthew A. Cherry – 1888 – 382351
- Electromotive railway – Granville T. Woods – 1888 – 385034
- Gong and Signal Chairs for Hotels – Miriam E. Benjamin – 1888 – 386289
- Tunnel construction for electric railways – Granville T. Woods – 1888 – 386282
- Process of casting – Samuel E. Thomas – 1888 – 386941
- Galvanic battery – Granville T. Woods – 1888 – 387839
- Railway telegraphy – Granville T. Woods – 1888 – 388803
- Automatic safety cut-out for electric circuits – Granville T. Woods – 1889 – 395533
- Rotary dining table – Daniel Johnson – 1889 – 396089
- Oil stove – John Standard – 1889 – 413689
- Attachment for lawn mowers – Henry Peterson – 1889 – 402189
- Passenger register – Arnold Romain – 1889 – 402035
- Folding chair (co-inventor Daniel A. Sadgwar) – John E. Purdy – 1889 – 405117
- Child’s carriage – William H. Richardson – 1889 – 405599
- Child’s carriage – William H. Richardson – 1889 – 405600
- Lock – Washington A. Martin – 1889 – 407738
- Lawn mower attachment – Daniel Johnson – 1889 – 410836
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1889 Patent: US418139A
1890 – 1899
- Paper bag machine – William B. Purvis – 1890 – Patent: US420099A
- Fountain pen – William B. Purvis – 1890 – Patent: US419065A
- Water evaporator attachment for hot air registers – Andrew F. Hilyer – 1890 – Patent: US438159A
- Safety gate for bridges – Humphrey H. Reynolds – 1890 – Patent: US437937A
- Liniment – William Snow – 1890 – Patent: US437728A
- Scrubbing frame – Isaac Watkins – 1890 – Patent: US437849A
- Wooden Portable fire escape – Daniel McCree – 1890 – Patent: US440322A
- Lock – Washington A. Martin – 1890 – Patent: US443945A
- Soil-Pulverizer – John Percial Parker – 1890 – Patent: US442538A
- Evaporator for hot air registers – Andrew F. Hilyer – 1890 – Patent: US435095A
- Steam trap – Frank J. Ferrell – 1890 – Patent: US420993A
- Nailing machine – Jan Ernst Matzeliger – 1890 – Patent: US423937A
- Cotton planter and fertilizer distributer – Coit Timothy Chapman – 1890 – Patent: US423311A
- Tack separating and distributing mechanism – Jan Ernst Matzeliger – 1890 – Patent: US421954A
- Sewer or other trap – Hugh M. Browne – 1890 – Patent: US426429A
- Ventilated shoe – Henry Faulkner – 1890 – Patent: US426495A
- Apparatus for melting snow – Frank J. Ferrell – 1890 – Patent: US428670A
- Valve – Frank J. Ferrell – 1890 – Patent: US428671A
- Grass receiver for lawn mowers – Daniel Johnson – 1890 – Patent: US429629A
- Street railway switch – Philip B. Downing – 1890 – Patent: US430118A
- Blind stop – Abraham Pugsley – 1890 – Patent: US433306A
- Shutter worker – Abraham Pugsley – 1890 – Patent: US433819A
- Attachment for bicycles – William Murray – 1891 – Patent: US445452A
- Potato digger – Peter D. Smith – 1891 – Patent: US445206A
- Letter Box – Philip B. Downing – 1891 – Patent: US462092A
- Letter Box – Philip B. Downing – 1891 – Patent: US462093A
- Valve – Frank J. Ferrell – 1891 – Patent: US462762A
- Electric railway system – Granville T. Woods – 1891 – Patent: US463020A
- Game apparatus – Lee Nance – 1891 – Patent: US464035A
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1891 – Patent: US465875A
- Churn – Albert C. Richardson – 1891 – Patent: US446470A
- Hame Attachments Part for a draft horses’ collar/harness – William B. Abrams – 1891 – Patent: US450550A
- Valve – Frank J. Ferrell – 1891 – Patent: US450451A
- Propeller for vessels – George Toliver – 1891 – Patent: US451086A
- Refrigerator – John Standard – 1891 – Patent: US455891A
- Guard for companion ways or hatches – William Queen – 1891 – Patent: US458131A
- Lasting machine – Jan Ernst Matzeliger – 1891 – Patent: US459899A
- Dope cup – Elijah McCoy – 1891 – Patent: US460215A
- Piano truck – Henry Linden – 1891 – Patent: US459365A
- Artillery shell – Moses Fleetwood – 1891 – Patent: Not available
- Valve – Frank J. Ferrell – 1892 – Patent: US467796A
- Bridle Bit – Lincoln F. Brown – 1892 – Patent: US484994A
- Letter Box – George E. Becket – 1892 – Patent: US483525A
- Saw Attachment – Henry C. Webb – 1892 – Patent: US483971A
- Caterers’ tray table – Frank R. Perryman – 1892 – Patent: US468038A
- Canopy frame – Carter Williams – 1892 – Patent: US468280A
- Device for Making Flags – Henry A. Bowman – 1892 – Patent: US469395A
- Grain binder – Peter D. Smith – 1892 – Patent: US469279A
- Car-coupling – James Dixon – 1892 – Patent: US471843A
- Overboot for horses – Robert Coates – 1892 – Patent: US473295A
- Ironing Board – Sarah Boone – 1892 – Patent: US473653A
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1892 – Patent: US472066A
- Clothes drier – George T. Sampson – 1892 – Patent: US476416A
- Rotary Engine – Andrew J. Beard – 1892 – Patent: US478271A
- Horse Shoe – Oscar E. Brown – 1892 – Patent: US481271A
- Curtain rod – Samuel R. Scottron – 1892 – Patent: US481720A
- Window cleaner – Anthony L. Lewis – 1892 – Patent: US483359A
- Punch – Charles Brooks – 1893 – Patent: US507672A
- Electric railway supply system – Granville T. Woods – 1893 – Patent: US507606A
- Fastener for the meeting rails of sashes – Frederick J. Loudin – 1893 – Patent: US510432A
- Draft regulator – Phillip W. Cornwell – 1893 – Patent: US491082A
- Bracket for miners’ lamps – Julius R. Watts – 1893 – Patent: US493137A
- Broom Moisteners and Bridles – Lyde W. Benjamin – 1893 – Patent: US497747A
- Mop – Thomas Stewart – 1893 – Patent: US499402A
- Station indicator – Thomas Stewart – 1893 – Patent: US499895A
- Internal surgery – Daniel Hale Williams – 1893
- Supporting bracket – Samuel R. Scottron – 1893 – Patent: US505008A
- Electric railway trolley – Elbert R. Robinson – 1893 – Patent: US505370A
- Key fastener – Frederick J. Loudin – 1894 – Patent: US512308A
- Casket-lowering device – Albert C. Richardson – 1894 – Patent: US529311A
- Ventilator – John Thomas Darkins – 1894 – Patent: US534322A
- Combined furrow opener and stalk-knocker – George Washington Murray – 1894 – Patent: US517960A
- Cultivator and marker – George Washington Murray – 1894 – Patent: US517961A
- Electric railway – William B. Purvis – 1894 – Patent: US519291A
- Oil heater or cooker – Simeon Newson – 1894 – Patent: US520188A
- Planter – George Washington Murray – 1894 – Patent: US520887A
- Cotton chopper – George Washington Murray – 1894 – Patent: US520888A
- Fertilizer distributor – George Washington Murray – 1894 – Patent: US520889A
- Planter – George Washington Murray – 1894 – Patent: US520890A
- Combined cotton seed planter and fertilizer distributor – George Washington Murray – 1894 – Patent: US520891A
- Reaper – George Washington Murray – 1894 – Patent: US520892A
- Baling press – Robert H. Gray – 1894 – Patent: US525203A
- Kneading machine – Joseph Lee – 1894 – Patent: US524042A
- Corn silker – Robert P. Scott – 1894 – Patent: US524223A
- Street Car Fender – Matthew A. Cherry – 1895 – Patent: US531908A
- Portable drill-frame – James C. Jones – 1895 – Patent: US532881A
- Clothes Line Support – James B. Allen – 1895 – Patent: US551105A
- Gage – Elijah H. Holmes – 1895 – Patent: US549513A
- Device for applying coloring liquids to sides of soles or heels of shoes – Clatonia Joaquin Dorticus – 1895 – Patent: US535820A
- Machine for embossing photographs – Clatonia Joaquin Dorticus – 1895 – Patent: US537442A
- Elevator safety device – James Cooper – 1895 – Patent: US536605A
- Photographic print washer – Clatonia Joaquin Dorticus – 1895 – Patent: US537968A
- Spoon design – William H. Purdy – 1895 – Patent: USD24228S
- Potato digger – Francis J. Wood – 1895 – Patent: US537953A
- Cistern cleaner – Robert H. Gray – 1895 – Patent: US537151A
- Magnetic car balancing device – William B. Purvis – 1895 – Patent: US539542A
- Bread crumbing machine – Joseph Lee – 1895 – Patent: US540553A
- Plasterers’ hawk – John Lee Love – 1895 – Patent: US542419A
- Guard attachment for beds – Lewis A. Russell – 1895 – Patent: US544381A
- Device for sharpening edged tools – Walter Purdy – 1896 – Patent: US570337A
- Riding saddle – William D. Davis – 1896 – Patent: US568939A
- Reel carrier – King Morehead – 1896 – Patent: US568916A
- Portable weighing scale – John W. Hunter – 1896 – Patent: US570553A
- Apparatus for holding yarn skeins – Julia Terry Hammonds – 1896 – Patent: US572985A
- Lemon squeezer – John Thomas White – 1896 – Patent: US572849A
- Razor stropping device – Henry Grenon – 1896 – Patent: US554867A
- Mechanism for overcoming dead centers – Willie Harry Johnson – 1896 – Patent: US554223A
- Feather curler – David N. Roston – 1896 – Patent: US556166A
- Street-Sweepers – Charles Brooks – 1896 – Patent: US556711A
- Locking rack for hats coats and umbrellas – Lewis Howard Latimer – 1896 – Patent: US557076A
- Bicycle support – Austin J. Polk – 1896 – Patent: US558103A
- Street-Sweepers – Charles Brooks – 1896 – Patent: US558719A
- Dust-proof bag for street-sweepers – Charles Brooks – 1896 – Patent: US560154A
- Alarm for boilers – John O’Connor – 1896 – Patent: US566612A
- Steam gage – John O’Connor – 1896 – Patent: US566613A
- Curtain rod support – William S. Grant – 1896 – Patent: US565075A
- Runner for stoops – Archia L. Ross – 1896 – Patent: US565301A
- Extension step for cars – Daniel L. White – 1897 – Patent: US574969A
- Steam table – George W. Kelley – 1897 – Patent: US592591A
- Railroad switch – Charles V. Richey – 1897 – Patent: US592448A
- Convertible settee and bed – John H. Evans – 1897 – Patent: US591095A
- Railway switch – William H. Jackson – 1897 – Patent: US593665A
- Train Car-coupler – Andrew J. Beard – 1897 – Patent: US594059A
- Pencil sharpener – John Lee Love – 1897 – Patent: US594114A
- Casting composite or other car wheels – Elbert R. Robinson – 1897 – Patent: US594286A
- Device for rolling cigarettes – James A. Sweeting – 1897 – Patent: US594501A
- Fire escape bracket – Charles V. Richey – 1897 – Patent: US596427A
- Machine for cleaning seed cotton – Peter Walker – 1897 – Patent: US577153A
- Ice-cream mold and disher – Alfred L. Cralle – 1897 – Patent: US576395A
- Railway switch – William H. Jackson – 1897 – Patent: US578641A
- Horse detacher – James Henry Dunnington – 1897 – Patent: US578979A
- Apparatus for washing vehicles – William Henry Phelps – 1897 – Patent: US579242A
- Design for a game board – William U. Moody – 1897 – Patent: USD27046S
- Lawn sprinkler – Joseph H. Smith – 1897 – Patent: US581785A
- Train Alarm – Richard A. Butler – 1897 – Patent: US584540A
- Car coupling – Charles V. Richey – 1897 – Patent: US584650A
- Stacking device – William Barry – 1897 – Patent: US584842A
- Mail-canceling machine – William Barry – 1897 – Patent: US585074A
- Postmarking and canceling machine – William Barry – 1897 – Patent: US585075A
- Postal machine – William Barry – 1897 – Patent: US585076A
- Separating screen – Thomas Henry Edmonds – 1897 – Patent: US586724A
- Sleeping car berth register – Stephen Chambers Shanks – 1897 – Patent: US587165A
- Slide valve – Benjamin H. Taylor – 1897 – Patent: US585798A
- Electrical railway system – William B. Purvis – 1897 – Patent: US588176A
- Dust pan – Lloyd P. Ray – 1897 – Patent: US587607A
- Railroad switch – Charles V. Richey – 1897 – Patent: US587657A
- Elevator safety device – James Cooper – 1897 – Patent: US590257A
- Envelope seal – Frank W. Leslie – 1897 – Patent: US590325A
- Portable shampooing basin – James Henry Haines – 1897 – Patent: US590833A
- Shampoo Headrest – Charles Orren Bailiff – 1898 – Patent: US612008A
- Mechanism for overcoming dead centers – Willie Harry Johnson – 1898 – Patent: US612345A
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1898 – Patent: US611759A
- Self-Leveling Table – Charles William Allen – 1898 – Patent: US613436A
- Oil cup – Elijah McCoy – 1898 – Patent: US614307A
- Synthetic hairbrush – Lyda D. Newman – 1898 – Patent: US614335A
- Horseshoe – John W. Outlaw – 1898 – Patent: US614273A
- Extension banquet table – Felix Harding – 1898 – Patent: US614468A
- Combined cot hammock and stretcher – Charles V. Richey – 1898 – Patent: US615907A
- Sealing attachment for bottles – Robert Hearns – 1898 – Patent: US598929A
- Alarm for water containing vessels – John O’Connor – 1898 – Patent: US598572A
- Overshoe – Alvin Longo Rickman – 1898 – Patent: US598816A
- Heating apparatus – Benjamin F. Jackson – 1898 – Patent: US599985A
- Lawn sprinkler – Joseph H. Smith – 1898 – Patent: US601065A
- Combined Hatrack and Table – William J. Ballow – 1898 – Patent: US601422A
- Bait holder – Peter Walker – 1898 – Patent: US600241A
- Coal or ore bucket – James A. Joyce – 1898 – Patent: US603143A
- Matrix drying apparatus – Benjamin F. Jackson – 1898 – Patent: US603879A
- Stacking device – William Barry – 1898 – Patent: US585017A
- Bag closure – Archia L. Ross – 1898 – Patent: US605343A
- Combined knife and scoop – James A. Sweeting – 1898 – Patent: US605209A
- Device for sharpening edged tools – Walter Purdy – 1898 – Patent: US609367A
- Design for Sign – George A. E. Barnes – 1898 – Patent: USD29193S
- Automatic locking switch – William H. Jackson – 1898 – Patent: US609436A
- Caps for bottles jars etc. – Albert A. Jones – Amos E. Long – 1898 – Patent: US610715A
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1898 – Patent: US610634A
- Luggage Carrier – John W. Butts – 1899 – Patent: US634611A
- Bicycle frame – Isaac R. Johnson – 1899 – Patent: US634823A
- Pillow sham holder – James P. Williams – 1899 – Patent: US634784A
- Switching Device for Railways – William F. Burr – 1899 – Patent: US636197A
- Mechanism for distributing tacks nails etc. – Jan Ernst Matzeliger – 1899 – Patent: US415726A
- Boot or shoe – Wilson Burwell – 1899 – Patent: US638143A
- Holder for driving reins – Albert Mendenhall – 1899 – Patent: US637811A
- Trousers support or stretcher – Archia L. Ross – 1899 – Patent: US638068A
- Tapered golf tee – George Franklin Grant – 1899 – Patent: US638920A
- Bottle – Albert C. Richardson – 1899 – Patent: US638811A
- Water closet – Jerome Bonaparte Rhodes – 1899 – Patent: US639290A
- Amusement apparatus – Granville T. Woods – 1899 – Patent: US639629A
- Parcel Carrier for Bicycles – Jerry M. Certain – 1899 – Patent: US639708A
- Chair supporting device – Ernest P. Ray – 1899 – Patent: US620078A
- Insect destroyer – Albert C. Richardson – 1899 – Patent: US620362A
- Lifesaving guard for locomotives – James H. Robinson – 1899 – Patent: US621143A
- Rubber scraping knife – L. F. Booker – 1899 – Patent: USD30404S
- Lifesaving guard for street cars – James H. Robinson – 1899 – Patent: US623929A
- Gas burner – Benjamin F. Jackson – 1899 – Patent: US622482A
- Adjustable tracker for pneumatic playing attachments – Joseph Hunter Dickinson – 1899 – Patent: US624192A
- Nonrefillable bottle – Robert Randolph Reynolds – 1899 – Patent: US624092A
- Automatic fishing device – George Cook – 1899 – Patent: US625829A
- Lawn Mower – John Albert Burr – 1899 – Patent: US624749A
- Pool table attachment – Thomas Walter Griffin – 1899 – Patent: US626902A
- Velocipede – Wesley Johnson – 1899 – Patent: US627335A
- Lubricator – Elijah McCoy – 1899 – Patent: US627623A
- Piano attachment – William J. Nickerson – 1899 – Patent: US627739A
- Overshoe for horses – James Ricks – 1899 – Patent: US626245A
- Folding Bed – Leonard C. Bailey – 1899 – Patent: US629286A
- Hose leak stop – Clatonia Joaquin Dorticus – 1899 – Patent: US629315A
- Invalid Cot – Benjamin F. Cargill – 1899 – Patent: US629658A
- Detachable car fender – Robert Hearns – 1899 – Patent: US628003A
- Device for sharpening edged tools – Walter Purdy – 1899 – Patent: US630106A
- Hay press – Joseph Ross – 1899 – Patent: US632539A
- Weather shield – Edward H. West – 1899 – Patent: US632385A
