Technology Tuesdays: Technology and Black History Month

It is one of my favorite times of the year! It is the time of year when we get to celebrate Black History Month. It is only February, and it has been a very busy year already. Just this month we have seen Usher’s electrifying Superbowl halftime show performance, Beyoncé releasing a country album, and The Lakers unveiling a bronze statue at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena in honor of Kobe Bryant. I absolutely adore Usher as well as his music and have had the pleasure of seeing him perform live. I can connect with Beyoncé’s because she is undeniably talented at telling her story through music. Although I haven’t been a Laker’s fan since Shaquille O’Neal retired, I must acknowledge Kobe Bryant’s contributions to the game of basketball and the impact of his career on an entire generation of people.

These are all exciting events and have certainly found their way into the headlines of many news publications. It is easy to celebrate the achievements of those already in the limelight; those that would be making news, it seems, no matter what they do. I feel that we do not take nearly enough time to celebrate the notable academic and entrepreneurial achievements of African American folks. This year, for Black History Month, instead of celebrating the folks that entertain us, I would like to take a moment to celebrate the achievements of folks that have made contributions in areas that make our lives better each day.

Mark Dean – Gigahertz Chip/IBM Color Monitor for PC

Something I have had the pleasure of taking for granted for my entire career is my laptop computer. However, many of its operating efficiencies including its color monitor were made possible, in part, due to the work of a talented engineer by the name of Mark Dean.

Mark Dean showed a very early aptitude for building things. In fact, at a very early age, Dean constructed a tractor with the help of his father. Dean was a strong student having earned all A’s during his time at Jefferson City High School and graduated at the top of his class from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Engineering. Dean then began to work for IBM where he spent the duration of his career.

While at IBM, Dean co-developed Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) systems bus with fellow engineer Denis Moeller, which allowed for peripheral devices to be plugged directly into computers. Dean’s work led to the development of the color PC monitor and in 1999 he made his crowing achievement. Dean led a team of engineers to develop the first gigahertz chip which propelled computing power to a billion calculations per second. Mark Dean is a prolific inventor and developer of technology. In fact, of IBM’s original nine patents, Dean holds three. Additionally, he is associated with more than 20 patents in total.

Frederick McKinley Jones – Refrigerated Trucks

Another surprising fact I learned during my research is that my fresh flower and produce deliveries may not be possible without the contributions of Frederick McKinley Jones in 1940. Jones earned the nickname “King of Cool” after developing the technology necessary for portable refrigeration. Jones had a difficult childhood which led him into the workforce at age 11. During this time, he developed special skills in automobile mechanics.

Years later, McKinley acquired an engineering license after years of working odd jobs and educating himself in his spare time. He eventually found his skills useful during WWI as a mechanic and electrician. McKinley began his designs on portable air-colling units in 1938 allowing trucks to carry perishable food items. These units were subsequently adapted to work in trains and aquatic vehicles. McKinley formed a partnership with Numero and founded the U.S. Thermo Control Company which eventually became Thermo King, a commonly known refrigeration company now. McKinley’s portable refrigeration units would be used during WWII to transport life-saving blood serums for transfusions, as well as other perishables such as food and medicine.

Marie Van Brittan Brown – Co-invented Home Security System,

Next time you set your ADT or Nest security system to protect your home while you are away. Think about Marie Van Brittan Brown. Many elements from her home security invention in 1966 are used in security systems today.

Brown was a nurse living in Queens, New York in the 1960’s. Crime was high in her neighborhood, police response was unreliable, and her husband was often away. Feeling uneasy being alone in this situation, Brown devised a system that would allow her to monitor potential visitors, unwanted and otherwise, to put her mind at ease. Cameras were placed to view through peepholes in her front door. Feeds from those cameras could then been seen using a monitor inside her home. Brown was awarded a patent for her design in 1969.

These are just a few innovators in the black community whose contributions touch and improve our lives nearly every day. I am proud to be part of such a diverse community of individuals and each year, during Black History month, I have learned something new. I hope you do as well.

Happy Black History Month!

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Sources:
https://www.history.com/news/8-black-inventors-african-american
https://www.biography.com/inventors/mark-dean
https://www.biography.com/inventors/frederick-jones