Memory American Black InventorsVersión en línea Match the inventor with their invention! por Teresa Thompson Helped poor southern farmers develop the peanut as a cash crop that could make money as well as protect nutrients in fields. Invented the first laser eye surgery! Also developed eye treatment programs for underserved populations. Created an automatic machine to stitch shoes together. Shoes finally became affordable for the average American. First African American to get a US patent. It was an early method for dry cleaning. Invented a mechanism that allows both elevator doors to close at once, preventing people from falling out. The first self-made female millionaire and one of the founders of the African American hair care industry. This Black inventor created the gas mask and the traffic light. An astrophysicist who created cameras that helped us understand interstellar space and the US space station. Assisted with development of the LIGHTBULB, and improved bathrooms on trains. Helped develop the first color monitor and a way to hook up multiple devices to a computer. Devised the process of blood collection. Also the first African American to be on the American Board of Surgery. Built and patented the first cosed-circuit security system, saving lives and property.