Second American Patent Given to an African American Woman

by Sharon L. West in Ethnicity, January 15, 2012

African American history could never fit in the shortest month of the year or any other. There are enough inventions, accomplishments and hidden history before and after Africans were enslaved in American, Britain and the Caribbean Islands to name a few that it would take at the least a curriculum equivalent to a four year college degree. This article expresses a device called a Gong Chair and Signal Chair created by an African American woman; a device used by not only the government but in which its makeup can be seen throughout the world and American history.

Miriam Benjamin was an African American woman born in the 1800’s that was a teacher and an inventor. She was the second black woman to receive a patent for an invention. Miriam first invention was called a Gong and Signal Chair and it was for Hotels. She did this when she was living in Washington, DC. The chair was a study device that had a back similar to a wicker chair today. As a matter of fact, it had the same design but with a bow like steel looking frame. The actual patent was issued to Ms. Benjamin on July 17, 1888.

The chair was created with the enslaved Africans in mind. It helped diminish the use of hand clapping by patrons and other degrading ways of beckoning for assistance by workers and or waiters. It also helped patrons to stay seated to call for assistance from wait staff. How the Gong worked is that a signal or buzz sound would be sent to the work-station when a customer would press a button attached to the chair. A light would stay on the chair allowing staff to know exactly who was in need of help or assistance.

The Gong chair was very popular among various businesses besides hotels and perhaps some upscale restaurants even. This is a gadget created by an African American woman that the United States House of Representatives would adapt and use almost immediately. Today, there are many versions of the Gong chair although not associated with its creator. Versions of this chair can be seen on American and global airlines.

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Taking a look at the medical field, it can be seen that the basic design was incorporated in hospital rooms. A patients bed the world over has a device that rings to the nurses station to let the staff know a patient is in need. Of course there is also the secret button in banks that signals the police and home security systems for the elderly or ill have signal devices they can where around their necks to summon hospital personal, the police and fire department. To view the actual company of Miriam Benjamin’s patent for the Signal Chair, log on to the following website: http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blbenjamin2.htm