The next time you moisturize and condition your hair, remember the contribution of the first Black woman millionaire in America, Madam C. J. Walker! After experiencing hair loss, the pioneering beauty inventor created the “Walker System”— a homemade line of haircare products for Black women.

The self-made millionaire and philanthropist also empowered other women by providing them with employment to sell her products. 

RELATED | Madam C.J. Walker's Iconic Haircare Line Makes A Major Comeback!

Thomas L. Jennings revolutionized the way we keep our clothes clean and fresh! In 1821, the inventor and civil rights activist became the first Black person in the United States to be granted a patent for his innovative way of dry-cleaning clothes. The method for removing dirt and grease from clothing preceded modern-day dry cleaning. It was appropriately named “dry scouring.”

We all owe George T. Sampson a HUGE thank you for laying the groundwork for the electric clothes dryers. In 1892, the Ohio inventor revolutionized the way people dry clothes with his automatic clothes drier, a patented framed system that hung clothing above a burner to speed up the air-drying process.

When it comes to personal style, wrinkles could send the wrong message. The iron and its much-needed companion, the ironing board, ensures we never have any excuse to walk out the house with wrinkles in our clothes. 

Although ironing methods have evolved over the decades, dressmaker Sarah Boone wowed the world when she created an innovative design that made it easier to press the sleeves and bodies of ladies' garments.

It is worth noting that Boone became one of the first African American woman to be awarded a patent in 1892!

Give thanks to Charles Orren Bailiff for making your hair salon experience more comfortable! In 1898, the Michigan inventor secured the patent on the universally popular shampoo head-rest that was expertly designed to prevent salon patrons from feeling neck tension while having their hair rinsed in shampoo bowls. 

The device could also be conveniently attached to surgical, dental, and other chairs that needed additional neck support.

The next time you clean your favorite hairbrush, give a shoutout to Lyda O. Newman, an inventor who used her expertise as a hairdresser to rethink the everyday styling tool. Before the women’s rights activist received the patent to create a reimagined brush using synthetic bristles, people were subject to the less hygienic and less durable design of brushes created with animal hair. This simple improvement to a common hairbrush was a complete game-changer in 1898!

Many Black families have a long history of using straightening combs. Although hot combs have since evolved into ceramic flat irons, the concept of straightening curls from root to end comes from Philadelphia inventor Walter Sammons. In 1920, Sammons changed the beauty world with the invention of the straightening comb, a heated tool that successfully removed “kinks” from the hair.

Whenever you celebrate the volume and long-lasting benefits of your Thermo hair rollers, you also have to throw some confetti for Solomon Harper. In 1930, the electrical engineer revolutionized curling hair with the first electrically heated hair rollers that inspired the ones we use today. He went on to update his design in 1953.

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner's invention of the sanitary belt, a product designed to prevent the leakage of menstrual blood on clothing, changed the lives of women forever!

Although she originally invented the sanitary belt in the 1920s, it wasn’t until 1957 that she secured her first patent due to financial complications. Altogether, the thoughtful inventor received five patents and still holds the record for the most patents awarded to a Black woman by the U.S. government.

Although there is very limited information about Theora Stephens available to the public, we knew we could not wrap up this list without highlighting the hairdresser responsible for re-inventing the pressing/curling iron to be “more efficient.”

In 1980, she was granted the patent for the groundbreaking beauty tool that we continue to use in the 21st century!

Don’t forget to head over to BET.com to find other engaging content during Black History month by searching for #BlackHistoryMonthBET.