Every day you use something that was invented or perfected by an African American inventor. Most people don't realize that when they pick up their cell phone to make a call, or use a microphone to sing karaoke, a black mind was behind the device that enables them to make the most of their day.

Surprised? You are not the only one. Most people don't know that inventions ranging from complex devices to common household goods were invented by African Americans.

Some Inventions Made by Africans

• air conditioning unit: Frederick M. Jones; July 12, 1949
• almanac: Benjamin Banneker; Approx 1791
• auto cut-off switch: Granville T. Woods; January 1,1839
• auto fishing devise: G. Cook; May 30, 1899
• automatic gear shift: Richard Spikes; February 28, 1932
• baby buggy: W.H. Richardson; June 18, 1899
• bicycle frame: L.R. Johnson; Octber 10, 1899
• biscuit cutter: A.P. Ashbourne; November 30, 1875
• blood plasma bag: Charles Drew; Approx. 1945
• cellular phone: Henry T. Sampson; July 6, 1971
• chamber commode: T. Elkins; January 3, 1897
• clothes dryer: G. T. Sampson; June 6, 1862
• curtain rod: S. R. Scratton; November 30, 1889
• curtain rod support: William S. Grant; August 4, 1896
• door knob: O. Dorsey; December 10, 1878
• door stop: O. Dorsey; December 10, 1878
• dust pan: Lawrence P. Ray; August 3, 1897
• egg beater: Willie Johnson; February 5, 1884
• electric lampbulb: Lewis Latimer; March 21, 1882
• elevator: Alexander Miles; October 11, 1867
• eye protector: P. Johnson; November 2, 1880
• fire escape ladder: J. W. Winters; May 7, 1878
• fire extinguisher: T. Marshall; October 26, 1872
• folding bed: L. C. Bailey; July 18, 1899
• folding chair: Brody & Surgwar; June 11, 1889
• fountain pen: W. B. Purvis; January 7, 1890
• furniture caster: O. A. Fisher; 1878
• gas mask: Garrett Morgan; October 13, 1914
• golf tee: T. Grant; December 12, 1899
• guitar: Robert F. Flemming, Jr. March 3, 1886
• hair brush: Lydia O. Newman; November 15,18--
• hand stamp: Walter B. Purvis; February 27, 1883
• horse shoe: J. Ricks; March 30, 1885
• ice cream scooper: A. L. Cralle; February 2, 1897
• improv. sugar making: Norbet Rillieux; December 10, 1846
• insect-destroyer gun: A. C. Richard; February 28, 1899
• ironing board: Sarah Boone; December 30, 1887
• key chain: F. J. Loudin; January 9, 1894
• lantern: Michael C. Harvey; August 19, 1884
• lawn mower: L. A. Burr; May 19, 1889
• lawn sprinkler: J. W. Smith; May 4, 1897
• lemon squeezer: J. Thomas White; December 8, 1893
• lock: W. A. Martin; July 23, 18--
• lubricating cup: Ellijah McCoy; November 15, 1895
• lunch pail: James Robinson; 1887
• mail box: Paul L. Downing; October 27, 1891
• mop: Thomas W. Stewart; June 11, 1893
• motor: Frederick M. Jones; June 27, 1939
• peanut butter: George Washington Carver; 1896
• pencil sharpener: J. L. Love; November 23, 1897
• record player arm: Joseph Hunger Dickenson January 8, 1819
• refrigerator: J. Standard; June 14, 1891
• riding saddles: W. D. Davis; October 6, 1895
• rolling pin: John W. Reed; 1864
• shampoo headrest: C. O. Bailiff; October 11, 1898
• spark plug: Edmond Berger; February 2, 1839
• stethoscope: Imhotep; Ancient Egypt
• stove: T. A. Carrington; July 25, 1876
• straightening comb: Madam C. J. Walker; Approx 1905
• street sweeper: Charles B. Brooks; March 17, 1890
• phone transmitter: Granville T. Woods; December 2, 1884
• thermostat control: Frederick M. Jones; February 23, 1960
• traffic light: Garrett Morgan; November 20, 1923
• tricycle: M. A. Cherry; May 6, 1886
• typewriter: Burridge & Marshman; April 7, 1885

Other things invented by Africans