In 1900, seven-year-old Frederick Jones was abandoned at a church by his white father. A biracial child, Jones was not welcomed by the church – so after a few years, he ran away at only eleven!
How would he survive?
Jones traveled to Cincinnati, where he worked odd jobs – eventually in a mechanic’s shop. He quickly picked up a knack for working with machinery, and taught himself the skills needed to secure an engineering license!
So how’d this self-taught mechanic become a national hero?
Jones went from fixing machines to designing and patenting them. He invented a portable air-cooling unit for trucks transporting food, which was so successful he co-founded the U.S. Thermo Control Company!
During World War II, Jones’ invention helped preserve and transport blood and medicine as well as food, saving thousands of lives. It also changed food production, allowing fresh produce to be delivered across America. But he wasn’t done yet.
By 1949, his company was worth millions, and throughout his career he earned over 60 patents! The celebrated inventor eventually became the first Black member of the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers.
After he died, Jones was honored with the National Medal of Technology.
Today, many inventions within our everyday lives can be credited to Black creative genius. Like Jones, we can use our innovation as a tool to escape our hardships, help others, and thrive!