SCIENTISTS, MATHEMATICIANS, INVENTORS WORLD CHANGING

WORLD-CHANGING
AFRICAN AMERICANS
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SCIENTISTS, MATHEMATICIANS, INVENTORS
“Never limit yourself because of others’
limited imagination; never limit others because
of your own limited imagination.”
—Mae C. Jemison, Physician, Astronaut, Entrepreneur
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1700
Benjamin Banneker o
(1731–1806)
Son of a slave, this mathematician was
also an astronomer, inventor, and writer.
Acclaimed for the almanacs he published
between 1792 and 1798, Banneker was
appointed by President George
Washington to the District of Columbia
Commission and helped map out the new
national capital. In 1980, the U.S. Postal
Service issued a stamp in his honor.
George Washington Carver o
(1864–1943)
1800
Scientist, inventor, botanist, and chemist,
Carver invented over 100 products derived
from the peanut. Born into slavery, he
became one of the most prominent scientists
and inventors of his time. A teacher at the
Tuskegee Institute, the agricultural
department achieved national renown under
his leadership. A monument showing him as
a boy was the first national memorial erected
in honor of an African American.
Euphemia Lofton Haynes o
(1890–1980)
Academic, social activist, and the first
African American woman to receive a
PhD in mathematics. Not only a
mathematician, Haynes was a
distinguished educator, activist for school
desegregation, and a fellow of the
Association for the Advancement of
Science.
George Carruthers o
(1939–
This astrophysicist was inducted into the
National Inventors Hall of Fame for his
contributions to aeronautical engineering.
Carruthers patented the “Image Converter,”
which detects electromagnetic radiation in
short wave lengths. In 1970, his invention
recorded the first observation of molecular
hydrogen in outer space. In 1972, he invented
the first moon-based observatory, which was
later used during the Apollo 16 mission.
Carruthers received the National Medal of
Technology and Innovation in 2013.
)
Valerie Thomas o
This physicist and inventor invented 3D TV.
Thomas received a patent in 1980 for
inventing an illusion transmitter that extends
the idea of television and makes images look
three-dimensional. From 1964 to 1995, she
worked in a variety of capacities for NASA
where she developed real-time computer data
systems, conducted large-scale experiments,
and managed many operations, projects, and
facilities. Thomas’ team spearheaded
“Landsat,” the first satellite to send images
from space.
1900
(1943–
)
Mae C. Jemison o
(1956–
The first African American woman to travel
in space, she is also a physician, professor,
and entrepreneur. Jemison joined the space
program after she completed her medical
degree, maintained a general practice, and
served in the Peace Corps. After working at
NASA from 1987 to 1993, Jemison founded
The Jemison Group, Inc., which developed a
satellite-based telecommunications system to
improve health care delivery in developing
nations. A professor in the Environmental
Studies Program at Dartmouth College, she
directed the Jemison Institute for Advancing
Technology in Developing Countries.
)
Neil deGrasse Tyson o
(1958–
)
This astrophysicist, writer, and television
personality is bringing a love of science
and information about the cosmos into our
homes. A writer, Tyson has authored 10
books, and co-wrote and hosted the
PBS-NOVA series, Origins. The recipient of
eighteen honorary doctorates and the NASA
Distinguished Public Service Medal, he is
executive editor, host, and narrator for
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey. He heads the
Hayden Planetarium in New York City and is
a research associate of the Department of
Astrophysics at the American Museum of
Natural History.
2000
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