This Black History Month, I’m sharing stories of black inventors and their contributions to our lives with products we’ve come to know and love. Follow to learn about other black inventors and their products throughout the month!
Do you own a smart thermostat? You can use it to set the temperature in your home from your phone, schedule preferred temperatures based on your arrival time or enhance heating and cooling to conserve energy.
In learning about home automation products, I never knew an African-American woman made the technology possible with her invention.
The Inventor: Alice H. Parker
An African-American woman, Alice H. Parker invented the heating furnace which paved the way for modern heating and thermostats.
The Product: Heating Furnace
U.S. Patent No. 1,325,905: Heating Furnace (1919)
The Pain Point
Parker was a native of Morristown, New Jersey and grew tired of cold winters due to the lack of heat distribution from a fireplace in her home.
The Solution
Parker invented a natural gas-powered furnace that evenly distributed heat throughout the house. She also created special air ducts that could be individually controlled from each room.
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Do you own a smart thermostat? Did you know that Alice H. Parker invented the heating furnace? Let me know below!
Dasanj Aberdeen is an entrepreneurial spirit who embodies the combination of left-brain logic and right-brain creativity. She is a consultant and proponent of multidisciplinary education, approaches and pursuits. She writes about their benefits in modern times and integrating multiple interests into a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. She’s a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University with a concentration in Technology & Innovation Management, jointly delivered by the Fox School of Business and College of Engineering.
