W. A. Martin, African American inventor, patented the lock (July
![](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/9d/70/ee/9d70ee031a91bd1d358d9a707b8ef3fd.jpg)
![](https://www.blac.media/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/d41586-021-00461-w_18857490.jpeg)
THISISBLACEXCELLENCE: We do this. Timeline of Black Inventors/Inventions
![](https://images.everydayhealth.com/images/healthy-living/1-african-american-health-pioneers-james-mccune-smith-406x406.jpg?sfvrsn=e499c5fa_2)
13 Black American Pioneers Who Changed Healthcare
![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/02/18/us/00xp-blackinventors-slide-Q79E/00xp-blackinventors-slide-Q79E-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale)
Seven Black Inventors Whose Patents Helped Shape American Life - The New York Times
![](https://bethesdagreen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jennings.jpg)
Celebrating Black History Month: African American Innovators and Environmental Leaders – Bethesda Green
![](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/stlamerican.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/1a/31a59910-f3d0-11e6-9aca-e3a8af6fa68d/58a4d99b4bc90.image.jpg)
St. Louis-based mobile museum highlights often unsung inventors, Black History
Master Builders' Association - In 1889, W. A. Martin patented the lock, improving upon the 4,000-year-old bolt invented by the Chinese. Martin's lock consisted of a cylinder and spiral spring, coiled around
![](https://www.cadcrowd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jack-Johnson.png)
Top 101 Black Inventors & African American's Best Invention Ideas that Changed The World
![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e5/d6/2b/e5d62b676bd2fbe34139d13cb2da1476.jpg)
Bessie Smith Cultural Center Black history inventors, Black history facts, African american inventors
Rosetta Writer
![](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/W318F0/page-37-digest-of-united-states-automobile-patents-from-1789-to-july-1-1899-W318F0.jpg)
United states patents 1 hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy