Biography african-american scientists and engineers

In the spirit of fostering a future of pioneers, let's end with a modern — but no less trailblazing — engineer. Dr. Wanda Austin, armed with a doctorate in systems engineering from the University of Southern California, has been instrumental not only in shaping the U.S. aerospace industry, but also in ensuring national security within the space community. Even President Obama thought she was important enough to put her on a board to review and plan future space missions.

Austin became a senior vice president of the Aerospace Corporation, an independent research and development center serving national space programs, in She eventually led a group responsible for supporting the intelligence and security community in space systems and ground stations [source: NASA]. In , Austin vaulted from VP to president and CEO of the corporation. In , she landed her gig on President Obama's Review of Human Spaceflight Plans Committee — no doubt a pretty cool group of people, who have come together to advise the government on the future of space missions [source: NASA].

Currently, she is a co-founder of MakingSpace, Inc, a systems engineering and leadership development consultant, and a motivational speaker. She also served as interim president of the University of Southern California during and was commended for steering the university through a tumultuous period.

Valerie Thomas

Valerie Thomas, born in Baltimore, Maryland, graduated from high school in and excelled at Morgan State University, where she was one of two women majoring in physics. Graduating with highest honors in , Thomas began her journey as a pioneer in STEM. Notably, she attended an exhibition in that featured an illusion of a light bulb appearing lit even when removed from its socket, sparking her innovative spirit. This led to her groundbreaking work, resulting in the patent for the illusion transmitter in , a technology still utilized by NASA and beyond. Even in retirement, she continues to mentor youth, leaving an indelible mark on the next generation of scientists and engineers.

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Dr. Emmett Chappelle

Dr. Emmett Chappelle, born in October in Phoenix, AZ, embarked on a remarkable journey in the realm of science. From his early education to his pioneering work at the Research Institute for Advanced Studies, Chappelle's focused his work on ensuring safe, breathable air for astronauts. Notably, his invention of the ATP fluorescent assay provided a path forward for how we might detect life on other planets like Mars by studying extraterrestrial soils for microbial life. His dedication to scientific inquiry serves as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of innovation in advancing our understanding of the cosmos.

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Dr. Edward Bouchet

Dr. Edward Bouchet, a trailblazer in the field of physics, shattered barriers as the first Black American to earn a physics PhD. Bouchet was not the first black student to enter Yale, but he was the first to graduate. In June , he graduated sixth in a class of students. He was also the first black person to be nominated to Phi Beta Kappa. After obtaining his physics degree Bouchet continued his graduate education and spent two

By Michele G. Moss, Johnson Moss Law
Introduction
This article discusses just a few of the many skilled African American scientists, mathematicians, inventors and engineers whose inventions and achievements still touch our everyday lives. Despite their prodigious achievements, their names remain hidden and largely unknown by most Americans. These African Americans, and countless more, should be celebrated and honored for their extraordinary contributions to this country and to the world. To this day, part of the struggle of African Americans in this country is to be seen as Americans and given proper credit for our accomplishments. These inventors and their amazing achievements are a part of American history. Let us shine a light on the achievements of these great Americans not only during Black History month, but all year round.

Garrett Augustus Morgan
Garrett Augustus Morgan was one of the most prominent African American inventors. He created not one, but two inventions that are still used in some form today: the safety hood (gas mask) and the three position traffic signal. Morgan was born on March 4, , outside of Paris, Kentucky. He was the seventh of 11 children. In his mid-teens, Morgan moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to look for work. At the age of 16, he then moved to Cleveland, Ohio.

Despite only having a sixth-grade education, Morgan was a mechanical genius and a born entrepreneur. He first worked in a textile factory and learned how the machines worked. He became so skilled at repairing and improving machines that he opened his own sewing machine repair shop in He also launched a clothing business with his wife, Mary Anne Hassek, a seamstress from Bavaria, and even branched out into cosmetic products, patenting the first chemical hair straightener.

Morgan became a wealthy man and was the first African American in Cleveland to own a car. He joined a new