8 scientists you don't know - but should
History is written by those in power. When that power is out of balance for centuries, it takes extra effort — and multiple generations — to learn and appreciate what was left out, whether by intention, bias, or simple ignorance. This is why society celebrates its historically underrepresented segments.
And is inspired.
On this final day of Black History Month, a glance at just a few of many African-American contributors to science, and the benefits we reap:
Charles Drew (1904-1950): A physician who revolutionized the science of blood transfusions. Along with developing blood storage and transfusing techniques, Drew actively opposed the practice of racial segregation in blood donation.
Otis Frank Boykin (1920-1982): If you owe your life to a pacemaker, one of this engineer’s 28 patents had a hand in it. He invented a pacemaker control unit and an improved wire resistor.
George Washington Carver (1864-1943): An agricultural chemist who developed alternative farming methods for better yields. Carver is best known for his discoveries of uses for peanuts, including soap, mayonnaise, shampoo, metal polish, and adhesives (no, not peanut butter).
Mark Dean (1957- ):
One of the top engineering minds at IBM Corporation. Every time you print something, you can thank Dean. His team developed a system back in the ’80s that allowed computers to communicate with printers and other devices. The award-winning computer engineer holds 20 patents.
Dorothy Johnson Vaughan (1910-2008), Katherine Johnson (1918- ), and Annie Easley (1933–2011): Speaking of computer geniuses, these three were old-school. Known as “human computers” Vaughan, Johnson, and Easley were mathematicians who worked for NASA doing calculations in their heads, on blackboards, and paper to launch satellites and men into space. Their calculations — now done automatically by machines — helped engineers figure out how wind and gravity affect aircrafts. In race-segregated buildings. If you haven’t seen the film or read the book, “Hidden Figures,” it’s time.
Gladys West (1930- ): Another mathematician who invented an accurate model of Earth, the foundation for the creation of the Global Positioning System (GPS). She was the second black woman to work for the Naval Surface Warfare Center and was inducted into the Air Force Hall of Fame.
Percy Julian (1899-1975): Known as the Harvard-educated “soybean chemist” for developing innovative, low-cost drugs and industrial chemicals from natural soya products. A firefighting solution he devised called “bean soup” saved the lives of thousands of sailors and naval airmen during World War II. A grandson of slaves, he earned more than 130 chemical patents and many professional awards.
“I have had one goal in my life, that of playing some role in making life a little easier for the persons who come after me.” — Percy Julian
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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who wasn’t smart enough to be a scientist. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.