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Did You Know? - Black Twitter has an uncanny knack for speaking the truth. This week, #ItWasABlackWoman became a trending topic within the social media collective, bringing attention to countless African-American female innovators whose works continue to influence our modern world. “#ItWasABlackWoman that lead the development of the touch tone telephone, portable fax, caller ID, call waiting & more,” writes Twitter user @CityBoyZizzle of Dr. Shirley Jackson, pictured above. Could you imagine not having that technology in your cell phone? Jackson’s early research in physics also cleared a path for others to invent solar cells and fiber optic cables. Click ahead for a look at 10 other brilliant Black female innovators you should know. (Photo: Janette Pellegrini/Getty Images)

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Patricia Bath, M.D. - She was the first African-American female doctor to patent a medical invention in May 1988. Hers was for a new method of removing cataracts that used a laser device to make the procedure more accurate.(Photo: Courtesy Inventors.com)

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Sarah Boone - On April 26, 1892, Sarah Boone received a patent for her improvement to the ironing board by making it easier to iron sleeves and the bodies of women's clothing. (Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Marie V. Brittan Brown - We can sleep soundly at night thanks to Marie V. Brown's invention back in 1969. She developed the first home security system with television surveillance. (Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Sarah Goode - Sarah Goode, a Chicago furniture store owner, was the first African-American woman to receive a U.S. patent. Hers was issued on July 14, 1885, for a folding cabinet bed. (Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Ruane Jeter - In April 1987, Ruane Jeter presented the world with the Tiltster, a toaster with a digital clock that allowed users to control how brown they wanted their bread.(Photo: Courtesy Inventors.com)

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Madame C.J. Walker - In the early 1900s, Walker started her own cosmetics and hair care line after suffering from a scalp ailment. She had a manufacturing company, and owned salons and a training school, all of which led to her becoming the first self-made female millionaire. (Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Marjorie S. Joyner - As an employee of Madame C.J. Walker's, Marjorie S. Joyner created a permanent perming and waving machine for hair for the company in 1928. (Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Lyda D. Newman - Lyda D. Newman improved upon the hair brush in November 1898 by creating one that was durable, easier to clean and added proper ventilation with recessed air pockets. (Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Theora Stephens - Theora Stephens, a hairdresser, created the pressing/curling iron in 1983. (Photo: Courtesy Inventors.com)

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Alice Parker - Alice Parker created an improved gas heating furnace for central heating in 1919.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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