Profiles the lives of twenty-five African American inventors who made significant scientific contributions from the eighteenth century to modern times.

Discusses African American contributions to science and invention.

Highlights the early life of Garrett Morgan who was born the son of freed slaves and with a determination to have a better life, began inventing things. Highlights Garrett's invention of a safety hood that was rejected because it was made by an African American, but when a fiery explosion occurred in a tunnel under Lake Erie, it proved to be lifesaving. And years later, it was used by the military during World War I.

Discusses black inventors and their contributions, including Benjamin Bradley, Madam Walker, and George Washington Carver.

"The story of Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor, who created the first automatic three-way traffic signal system"--

A biography of the Afro-American inventor who, among other contributions, invented an inexpensive method for manufacturing carbon filaments for electric light bulbs.

Presents capsule accounts of notable first achievements by African Americans, arranged in the categories "Agriculture and Everyday Life," "Dentistry and Nursing," "Life Science," "Math and Engineering," "Medicine," "Physical Science," and "Transportation."