Christian Barksdale diversity in technology
Elijah McCoy was an African American engineer and inventor who held 50 patents for various devices, including improvements to lubrication systems and household tools like the folding ironing board and the lawn sprinkler. Born into slavery, McCoy had a strong passion for engineering and mechanics from a young age. When he was 15, his parents sent him to Scotland to complete an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering. Due to racial discrimination, companies refused to hire him as an engineer, so he worked on the railroad instead. This job, however, turned out to be valuable it led to his invention of the automatic lubricator for steam engines, earning him his first patent. Today, honoring pioneers like McCoy is an important step in addressing racial bias in technology and recognizing the lasting impact of African American engineers. Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson made history as the first Black woman to earn a doctorate from MIT. Her work led to key innovations like caller ID and call wa...