Black History Month is the annual celebration of the history, achievements, and contributions of black people both past and contemporary around the world. Originally launched to challenge racism, Black history month recognise people and untold stories which are not typically taught in schools but have shaped the world we live in today. It is a starting point for exploring, discovering and celebrating Black history, heritage and culture. This year, LondonEnergy has embarked on a Diversity journey and opened honest conversations with team members on what inclusion means for us. This is why, for Black History Month, we want to celebrate and share the stories of four Black Inventors and engineers that have had an impact on our industry and the work we are doing today:
- Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr.
- David Crosthwait
- Jerome Nriagu
- Lonnie G. Johnson
Please take the time to read their stories ! If you want to learn more about Black History Month, click here.
Four Black Engineers which work has shaped our Industry
Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr.
(March 4, 1877 – July 27, 1963) Garrett Morgan was an inventor, a businessman, and a community leader. In 1914, Garrett Morgan patented a breathing device in the form of a canvas hood, later modifying it to carry its own air supply. The “Safety hood” helped firefighters navigate smoky buildings and is recognised as the first effective modern gas mask. He also invented the first automatic three-way traffic signal system by adding a third position to the traffic signal (at the time it just indicated “stop” or “go”). This invention increased road safety and contributed to the reduction in automobile accidents. He later sold the concept to General Electric. Learn more about Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr. here.
David Crosthwait
(27 May 1898 - 25 February 1976) David Crosthwait was an mechanical and electrical engineer with extensive expertise on air ventilation, central air conditioning, and heat transfer systems. He held 39 United States patents as well as 80 international patents for all is work. In the 1920-30s, he invented a vacuum pump, a boiler, and a thermostat control, creating more effective heating systems for larger buildings including the Rockefeller Centre and New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Learn more about David Crosthwait here.
Jerome Nriagu
(1944-) Dr. Jerome Nriagu is currently Professor Emeritus, School of Public Health, the University of Michigan, Ann Arban. He is an expert in environmental chemistry and health effects of trace elements in the environment. His research activities in recent years include potential impacts of global change on metal cycles; processes and mechanisms of cycling of pollutants (especially heavy metals) in air, water and soil leading to human exposure. His accomplishments have made exceptional contribution to risk science, environmental epidemiology and environmental injustice. His discoveries have been documented in over 30 Books and 400+ peer-reviewed journals, thus reducing the environmental consequences of human activity. Learn more about Jerome Nriagu here.
Lonnie G. Johnson
(1949–) Lonnie G. Johnson is an engineer and inventor who graduated in nuclear engineering from Tuskegee University and went on to work for the U.S. Air Force and the NASA space program where he worked on the Galileo Jupiter probe and Mars Observer project, and more than 40 patents. As the founder of Johnson Research & Development he developed the Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter System (JTEC), listed as one of the top 10 inventions of 2009. His invention converts thermal energy to electrical energy using a non-steam process which works by pushing hydrogen ions through two membranes, with claimed advantages over alternative systems. The potential applications in solar power plants and ocean thermal power generation are vast. He has been working with the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in California for further development. Learn more about Lonnie G. Johnson here.
