Have You Heard of the Black Inventors That Revolutionized Modern Heating and Cooling?
This black history month, learn the stories of these three incredible black inventors who revolutionized modern heating and cooling. Black inventors have not received as much recognition for their contributions as their white colleagues throughout history. Today, we take a moment to honor how much African Americans have done for the heating and cooling industry.
These incredible true stories of three revolutionary black inventors that forever changed the heating and cooling industry deserve more recognition. David Crosthwait, Alice Parker, and Lewis Latimer are important figures in black history because of their contributions to the HVAC industry.
Get to Know David Crosthwait (1898-1976)
David Crosthwait made significant contributions to heating and cooling systems. One of his biggest accomplishments was the invention of thermostats for regulating temperature. Another groundbreaking invention of his was the vacuum pump.
His work was groundbreaking for heating large buildings. In the past, only small buildings were able to be heated effectively. In the 1920s and 1930s, David Crosthwait and the other inventors on this list all invented temperature control devices that brought heating and cooling into the modern era.
He was an expert in heat transfers and specialized in developing new and improved HVAC systems for most of his career. He patented at least 39 inventions related to heating and cooling in the US and many more overseas. In the 1970s, he was named the first African American fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers.
Get to Know Alice Parker (1885-1920)
She filed for a patent for her design in 1919. An interesting aspect of her furnace and ductwork design is almost exactly like modern zone heating. Her invention used a heat exchanger to warm air before circulating it throughout the house via ductwork. She passed away in 1920, just shortly after inventing the furnace.
One of the most groundbreaking things about this new invention is how much safer it was than previous heating solutions. The invention of central heat helped to prevent house fires. She was so fed up with chopping wood for the New Jersey winters that she invented one of the most revolutionary heating systems of all time.
Get to Know Lewis Latimer (1848-1928)
Lewis Latimer worked alongside prestigious inventors to create notable technological advancements like the telephone and the lightbulb. The modern lightbulb may have never been invented without his work alongside Thomas Edison.
Latimer also was devoted to improving indoor air quality. His contributions to various industries have been understated throughout history, and he deserves far more credit for changing the world with his inventions.
His story is inspiring because of the hardships that he endured. The son of former slaves, Latimer fought in the Civil War at only 15 years old. Once he returned from the war, he was dedicated to his studies and found employment at a patent law office.
While employed at the patent office, his superiors saw that he had a lot of talent, making him a draftsman. While working at the patent office, he invented the earliest air conditioner. All modern air conditions have been built on Lewis Latimer’s original design.
About Cleary Plumbing & Air
Cleary Plumbing & Air is proud to serve communities across South Florida with high-quality and affordable comprehensive home services. Give them a call today to schedule an appointment with one of their friendly HVAC technicians for expert service!
