We Are Interdependent

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgement. Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others? Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve – You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

Martin Luther King

Since 1987, Black History Month is commemorated annually during October. In the UK, this is meant to raise awareness of black achievements, as black history is part of British history. Two weeks ago, I wrote about ‘Inspiring Christians History Forgot’. This article highlighted some of the freed slaves who came to England and campaigned for the abolition of the slave trade and the abolition of slavery. This year, the Royal Mail painted six post boxes in black and gold, in honour of Black History Month. Throughout October, several programmes were presented by the print and electronic media, in recognition of contributions which black people have made, and are continuing to make, to British society.

This second article will highlight briefly some stories of black pioneers and inventors in science. In the USA, slavery was abolished in 1865; the vast majority of blacks in 1870 were illiterate because they had not been allowed to go to school. In fact, most of the Southern states during slavery had laws prohibiting anyone from teaching slaves to read and write. It is against this background of educational deprivation that the achievements of the black scientist and inventor can be seen in sharpest perspective. These scientific pioneers contributed not only to America’s development but also to the development of the world.

Jan Earnst Matzeliger (1852–1889), his invention of the lasting machine held the last in position and moved it forward while other parts punched the leather and drew it over the last, fitting the leather at the toe and heel. This new machine greatly increased shoe production and also cut the cost of shoes by half, there was world-wide demand for this machine.

Granville T. Woods (1856–1910), known as the ‘Black Edison’, invented a variety of important and significant electrical systems. He did much to change and modernise transportation. He made it possible to go from inefficient, costly, steam-engine driven trains to cleaner, cheaper and more effective train engines run by electricity. In 1888, he set up an overhead conducting system for electric railways. This became a familiar sight in many cities. In 1890, he came out with an egg incubator heated by electricity, controlled by means of an electric thermostat. Woods was outstanding for the large number of appliances in the field of electricity which he invented.

Garrett A. Morgan (1877-1963), in 1912 he invented the Safety Hood, later known as the Gas Mask. It was proven to be efficient, and requests came from fire departments, police departments and mining companies for the hoods. It was improved and used by the US army in the First World War. Morgan witnessed a traffic accident at an intersection and was concerned that a safety device should be invented to prevent accidents. He came up with the idea of electric light signals at intersections with different coloured lights as signals for stopping and starting. He invented the first traffic-light signal system which is now used all over the world. Morgan carried out several other inventions. He was a self-educated and creative man whose only formal education ended in elementary school.

Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975), grandson of a former slave. Millions of sufferers from arthritis, a crippling disease, owe their comfort and health to the ‘soybean chemist’ who brought the healing drug cortisone within their reach. Among numerous uses, progesterone and testosterone have been used effectively in the treatment of cancer. Julian’s synthesis of these hormones from the common soybean ranks among the outstanding achievements of organic chemistry.

I have only just scratched the surface with respect to the contributions made by each of these black pioneers in science. Despite the levels of racism which they experienced while attempting to further their education; the drawbacks in their professional fields; and sometimes bomb attacks on their homes; they persevered with their drive to carry out scientific inventions which would benefit America. They were also involved with political, social-justice and civil-rights matters within their communities. The book entitled Black Pioneers of Science and Invention by Louis Haber provides a great deal of information about the achievements of black scientists.

The film ‘Hidden Figures’ tells the true story of three black women who were employed by NASA, and the immense contributions which they made to the space programme, despite the ‘crushing’ levels of racism which they experienced at every stage of their careers. Katherine Johnson went on to perform calculations for the Apollo’s Mission to the moon and the Space Shuttle. In 2016, NASA dedicated the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Building in honour of her ground-breaking work in space travel. Katherine was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the age of ninety-seven years. May Jackson was NASA’s, and America’s first female African–American aeronautical engineer. Dorothy Vaughan became NASA’s first African–American Supervisor. She was a ‘Fortran’ specialist on the frontier of electronic computing, and was regarded as one of the most brilliant minds at NASA.

Whoso beset him round, with dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound; his strength the more is.
No lion can him fright, he’ll will a giant fight,
But he will have a right to be a pilgrim.

John Bunyan (1628–1688)

Let us pray:

Father, we praise and thank you for all scientists over the centuries
who through their inventions have contributed to the development of mankind.
Father God, we pray that through your wisdom, and their dedication and determination,
scientists will develop effective vaccines for combating this deadly virus which is ravaging our world.

Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Loving God,
help us to be mindful of each other;
please guide and protect us today.

Amen

Glynne Gordon-Carter