Thomas L. Jennings
Thomas L. Jennings (1791-1859) was the first African-American person to receive a patent in the U.S., paving the way for future inventors of color to gain exclusive rights to their inventions.
The patent was awarded on March 3, 1821 (US Patent 3306x) for his discovery of a process called dry-scouring which was the forerunner of today’s modern dry-cleaning.
Born free in New York City in 1791, Jennings, in his early 20s, became a tailor and also opened a dry cleaning business in the city. Jennings developed dry-scouring while running his business.
The patent to Jennings generated considerable controversy during this period, according to Black Past. Slaves at this time could not patent their own inventions; their effort was the property of their master.
In 1861, patent rights were finally extended to slaves.
