In the 1880s, Jan Matzeliger invented a machine that efficiently attached the soles of shoes to the tops. This technology made shoes much more affordable. (U.S. Postal Service)
“Never settle for less than your best,” Patricia Bath’s parents told her. She never did. A doctor, research scientist, inventor and educator, Bath had a string of “firsts” in her career. She is most known for her work in preventing blindness among people lacking proper medical care. In 1981, she developed a new method of using a laser to remove cataracts (pronounced CAT-uh-racts), a clouding of the eye’s lens. Her method, used worldwide, has been credited with helping restore or improve the vision of millions of people.
Scientist George Carruthers stands to the right of the gold-plated ultraviolet camera/spectrograph. Carruthers, pictured with co-worker William Conway, developed the telescope — the first Moon-based observatory — for the Apollo 16 mission in 1972. (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory)
A high school summer program launched Sandra K. Johnson’s career as an electrical engineer. Her first job was with IBM, a giant global technology company. She worked on increasing computer speed and helped design an early version of IBM’s “Deep Blue” chess computer. Its ability to handle complex calculations advanced the field of computer science. After serving as IBM’s chief technology officer in Central, East and West Africa, Johnson started her own company in 2018. Her goal is to use technology to improve the lives of people in sub-Saharan African countries.
Completing only an elementary school education didn’t hold Garrett Morgan back. His inventions included a “safety hood” breathing device — an early type of gas mask — to protect firefighters and workers exposed to dangerous substances. In 1923, after witnessing a carriage accident, he created a traffic signal with movable arms to signal to drivers whether to stop or go. Morgan also developed hair-care products, including a straightening fluid he tried out on a neighbor’s Airedale. The fluid straightened the dog’s hair so much that its owner supposedly failed to recognize it afterward.