A Historical Chronology of the Plight of African Americans Gaining Recognition in Engineering and Technology

Abstract

Pipeline; The Black scientist in America is historically an anomaly and currently a statistical rarity. In 1984 Blacks accounted for only 2.3%, or 90,500, of the 3,995,000 employed scientists and engineers (Kusmer, 1991) Even now, in the 21st century, Blacks were 11.3% of the labor force, but only 4.2% of natural scientists, 7.6% of math and computer scientists, and 4.6% of engineers. In very simple terms, the source of the problem is obvious: There are few Black scientists because there are few Blacks in graduate science programs; there are few Blacks in graduate programs because there are few Blacks who are encouraged to take the undergraduate sources required for successful scientific careers; there are few Black undergraduates who are prepared by their high schools or grade schools to choose such courses. This article focuses on the contributions of African Americans to scientific and technological innovations. It was written not to disprove or discredit nonminorities who were given full credit for an invention or contribution to technological society but to recognize the contributions of Africans and African Americans who significantly helped mold and direct the evolution of technology. This article is also intended for technology education teachers to use as a tool to encourage African American youth to realize that they have a very brilliant heritage and wealthy history. This paper attempts to reveal a legacy of intelligence, and it serves to inspire future African Americans to keep the torch of technological innovation and invention aflame.