1897: Alfred L. Cralle of Pittsburgh, PA patents an "Ice Cream Mold and Disher."

Cralle is just one of thousands of African-Americans whose inventions have improved the daily lives of all Americans. Here are some other African-American inventors and their inventions:

- Lewis Latimer, who worked with Thomas Edison, invented the carbon filament, an important part of the light bulb.

- George Washington Carver, who was the first black student at Iowa State University and later served as a faculty member, invented peanut butter and many other products such as adhesives, dyes, and pigments.

- George Crum, head chef at Moon's Lake House, a resort in Saratoga Springs, NY, invented the potato chip in 1853.

- Sarah E. Goode, who owned a furniture store in Chicago, invented a folding cabinet bed for people living in small apartments. She was the first African-American woman to receive a patent (#322177, on July 14, 1885)

- Elijah McCoy had over 57 inventions patented. Among these was a device for oiling machine parts while the machine was still in motion. It was used extensively by railroads and factories, and prompted the development of the saying "Is this the real McCoy?"