Celebrating Black Innovators Who Shaped the AEC Industry

As Black History Month comes to a close, it’s important to recognize the Black innovators in the AEC Industry. From transportation safety to GPS technology, Black inventors and engineers have played a pivotal role in building the infrastructure that keeps our communities moving. But have you heard their names before? Let’s highlight some of these remarkable individuals and the lasting legacies they’ve built.

Andrew Beard (1849 – 1921) – The Jenny Coupler

Andrew Beard was born in Jefferson County, Alabama. After his emancipation at age 15, he remained a farmer and sharecropper eventually opening his own flour mill near Birmingham. His love for engineering and farming led to many inventions for plows and rotary steam engines. After joining the Alabama & Chattanooga Railroad, he designed an automatic railroad coupler, known as the “Jenny Coupler,” which improved railway safety and efficiency by allowing train cars to be connected without manual intervention.

William Sidney Pittman (1875 – 1958) – Architecture

William Sidney Pittman was born in Montgomery, Alabama and attended Tuskegee Institute for woodworking and architectural-mechanical drawing. He is most known for being one of the first professionally trained Black architects in the United States and for designing dozens of schools, churches, and civic buildings. He was also the first Black architect to receive a federal contract, opening doors for future professionals in civil engineering and architecture.

Garrett Morgan (1877 – 1963) – The Three-Position Traffic Signal

Garrett Morgan, an inventor and entrepreneur, patented the three-position traffic signal, which introduced the “caution” phase between stop and go. This innovation helped reduce traffic accidents and congestion. His design eventually influenced modern traffic lights. He is also credited with an improved sewing machine and a breathing device that became a precursor for gas masks used in World War I.

It’s important to remember that Black innovators in our industry aren’t just figures of the past. They continue to shape our future.

Dr. Gladys West – GPS Technology

Dr. Gladys West is a mathematician whose work in mathematical modeling and satellite geodesy was crucial in the development of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. She worked at the U.S. Naval Weapons Laboratory and was responsible for refining calculations that helped accurately model the shape of the Earth, which became the foundation for GPS. She is one of the most influential figures in modern geospatial science, significantly impacting civil and traffic engineering through her contributions to GPS technology.

Pascale Sablan – Architecture

Pascale Sablan is an architect and advocate for diversity in design. As CEO of the Adjaye Associates New York Studio, she has contributed to significant projects, including the design of the Bronx Point development, which houses the Universal Hip Hop Museum. Sablan is the founder of Beyond the Built Environment, an organization focused on promoting the work of women and BIPOC designers. In 2021, she became the youngest African American to be elevated to the AIA College of Fellows.

Roderick Jackson – Sustainable Construction

Roderick Jackson is an engineer specializing in energy-efficient building technologies. He serves as the laboratory program manager for building technologies at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Prior to NREL, Jackson was the group manager for Building Envelope Systems Research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory where he led an effort that established Alabama Power’s Smart Neighborhood.

This blog only lists a few of the many impacts that Black innovators have had on the AEC Industry, and there are many more people whose contributions deserve recognition. So, let’s keep the conversation going. Share this article, spark discussions, and ensure these names, both past and present, are celebrated year-round.