The pencil sharpener was invented in 1897 by John Love.

In 1895 Joseph Lee invented an automatic bread-making machine that mixes the ingredients and kneads the bread.

Andrew J. Beard invented the “jenny coupler,” allowing train cars to hook together when bumped.

Born a slave, Sarah Goode became the first female black inventor with her folding bed, patented in 1885.

Alexander Miles patented an electric elevator with automatic doors to close off the shaft in 1887.

Lewis Temple invented the toggle harpoon for whaling in 1848.

Lewis Howard Latimer in 1881 invented the carbon filament for light bulbs.

Lonnie G. Johnson, an engineer who previously worked for NASA, invented the Super Soaker Water Gun, which became the No. 1 selling toy in 1991.

The fire extinguisher was patented in 1872 by Thomas J. Mann.

George Carruthers invented the far ultraviolet electrographic camera, which was used on Apollo 16 in 1972. The camera revealed new features of Earth’s far-outer atmosphere.

Working for IBM computers, Otis Boykin, invented electronic control devices for guided missiles.

Garrett A. Morgan invented a three-way automatic stop sign. Morgan sold his invention to General Electric, which used it until the three-way traffic light was introduced.

Dr. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe for the treatment of cataracts, patented in 1986..

Source: Biography Channel, www.biography.com