Troy Library celebrates black inventors

Published 9:21 pm Thursday, February 20, 2020

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Do you know who invented the modern microphone? The Super Soaker? The refrigerator? The gas mask?

Probably not, but the children who visited the Troy Public Library Thursday afternoon certainly do.

“Let’s Learn about Black Inventors” is an interactive program that includes story time that features black inventors that have simplified and improved everyday life with their ingenuity and imaginations, said Shanlie Wolter, TPL children’s librarian.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Wolter said she chose three African American inventors whose products are familiar to children.

“Lonnie Johnson is from Mobile and he invented the Nerf toys,” Wolter said. “Garrett Morgan invented the gas mask and the traffic signal. Madame CJ Walker developed a line of hair products and became the first African American female to earn a million dollars.”

The children who attended the “Let’s Learn about Black Inventors” enjoyed story time, played games, participated in art activities and gained a greater appreciation for those who inventions make daily living more convenient “and more fun.”