The Inventive Spirit of African Americans Patented Ingenuity

Subjects:

• Multicultural Studies » Black Studies
• Science » Scientific Technology
• Business » Business History

Reviews:

• Sluby, a former primary US patent examiner, presents a thorough and fascinating history of the contributions of African Americans to the world of invention, and to our present quality of life. Her well-written and engaging portrait of many black inventors and scientists is derived from a comprehensive review of all the patents that have been issued to African Americans from the days of slavery to the present high-tech era....An important addition to the literature on contributions of African Americans to US history. Highly recommended. All levels.
  —Choice November 2004
• Former Patent Examiner Patricia Carter Sluby's book - The Inventive Spirit of African Americans: Patented Ingenuity is no ordinary book on the story of African American inventors. No, she takes it to the level we as PTDL Reps can appreciate. She has included an appendix to the back of her book that lists patents granted to all African American invetors from 1790 to the present day. Even better, she doesn't just list the invention name, she gives the patent number -- which makes it easier to find the patent for the invention if you are creating a presentation or developing a talk or even writing your own book or article on the topic. This book is a must for every PDTL.
  —Patent and Trademark Depository Library Association Newsletter .
• In this important study, Sluby pays homage to the inventive and pioneering spirit of little-known African Americans. From ancient African creations to contributions of those enslaved and brought to this country, this work provides a stirring and well-documented account of their contributions to American history....This publication will be a welcome addition to any African-American history collection.
  —Multicultural Review Fall 2005
• This would be an excellent book for a high school collection that focuses on science, African-American history, or both....[t]he material covered is impressive. Recommended.
  —Library Media Connection February 2005

• Endorsement From Maceo Crenshaw Dailey Jr.
  Director, African American Studies
  Associate Professor of History
  University of Texas, El Paso: An excellent examination of African American inventors and problem-solvers who turned obstacles into opportunities. Pat Sluby is to be commended for her painstaking research and lucid writing style in exploring the history of African American inventors and patent-holders.
• Endorsement From Norman G. Torchin
  Patent Attorney and former Examiner-in-Chief (Administrative Patent Judge) in the United States Patent and Trademark Office: This book fills a too often overlooked but meaningful contribution of African Americans to our industrialized nation and to the high tech global community....This well researched and skillfully documented book tells their story.
• Endorsement From Robert L. Hall
  Museum Educator: Patricia Sluby weaves personal stories with science and social history to offer a comprehensive, and engaging, treatment on an under-explored subject. This book is a 'must-read' for anyone who is interested in the African American science experience.
• Endorsement From Arthur Molella
  Director
  Lemelson Center, Smithsonian Institution: Bringing the eye of a patent examiner to the record of American innovation, Patricia Sluby gives us the fullest picture yet of African American inventiveness. It is a stirring account, showing the toughness of the human creative spirit in the face of a hostile environment.

Table of Contents:

• Acknowledgments
• Foreword
• Prologue
• Once Upon a Time
• Early Creative Minds
• Under His Own Personage, Dutifully Logged
• Progressive Achievement, Exposing Ebony Talent
• Onward Soldiers of Fortune
• Among Women and Family
• The New Age
• Conclusion
• Appendix I: Minorities in Intellectual Property Law Practice
• Appendix II: Roster of African American Patentees
• Picture Credits
• Notes
• Sources Consulted
• Index