Did You Know That The Modern Day Ironing Board Was Invented By A Black Woman?

Did You Know That The Modern Day Ironing Board Was Invented By A Black Woman?: Sarah Boone, a former enslaved woman, made history on April 26, 1892, as the fourth

Black woman in the U.S. to receive a patent for her collapsible ironing board invention.

Her achievement marked a significant advancement in the way clothes were pressed at the time.

Born into slavery and prohibited from learning to read, Boone’s journey to patenting her

invention was remarkable. After marrying a free man and relocating up north, she quickly

acquired the skills to read technical documents and diagrams, enabling her to apply for her own engineering patent.

the university

Living near Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, Boone worked as a dressmaker,

facing the challenge of ironing the intricate 19th-century fashions of the era. Prior to her

invention, various patents for ironing boards had been issued, but Boone’s collapsible design,

patent #473,653, stood out for its innovation and efficiency.

Her ironing board featured elements that resemble modern designs, including a narrowed

top to fit inside clothes, side padding to prevent unwanted impressions, and collapsibility for easy storage.

Boone’s patent application highlighted the device’s effectiveness in pressing sleeves and curved waist-seams of garments.

the invention

Despite her groundbreaking invention, Boone’s ability to commercialize her creation remains undocumented.

She passed away in 1904 without leaving behind records of any attempts to capitalize on her achievement.

Sarah Boone’s story is a testament to resilience and ingenuity, showcasing how individuals like

her overcame immense obstacles to leave a lasting impact on society, even in the face of systemic oppression and limited opportunities.

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