Did You Know? Honoring Black Inventors Who Changed Health & Safety
Black inventors have played a critical role in shaping safety, healthcare, and technology in the United States. Despite limited recognition during their lifetimes, their innovations continue to influence how we protect communities and care for patients today.
As part of our Did You Know? Black History Month series, we honor inventors whose work built systems we still rely on.
Marie Van Brittan Brown
Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first home security system, introducing video monitoring and remote door control. Her innovation laid the groundwork for modern security systems used in homes, healthcare facilities, and public spaces.
Alice Ball
Alice Ball developed the first effective treatment for leprosy, a major medical breakthrough that transformed patient care worldwide. Her work remains one of the most significant contributions to early 20th-century medicine.
Garrett Morgan
Garrett Morgan invented the modern traffic signal and a safety hood used in emergency rescues. His inventions significantly improved public safety and emergency response, helping prevent injuries and save lives.
Why This Matters
Innovation is a vital part of healthcare and community safety. The contributions of Black inventors continue to shape modern medicine, technology, and public health.
🖤 Black history is medical history.
🖤 Their ideas continue to protect and save lives today.