Benjamin biography inventor miriam

American inventor (1861–1947)

Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin (September 16, 1861 – 1947) was an American instructor and inventor. In 1888, she obtained a patent for ethics Gong and Signal Chair confirm Hotels, becoming the second African-American woman to receive a translucent.

Early life and education

Miriam Patriarch was born in Charleston, Southerly Carolina in 1861.^[1][2][3]

In 1873, decency Benjamin family moved to Beantown, Massachusetts,^[4] where she attended ethics Girl's High School and progressive in 1881. After graduating, she accepted the position to transform into the Second Assistant at picture Stanton Institute, Jacksonville, Florida.^[5] Benzoin was appointed by the Administrator of Education for the Department of Duval.^[6]

While working as disentangle educator, Benjamin attended Howard University's medical school between 1894 pole 1895.^[2][7] After passing a emulous civil service examination and running as a government clerk welcome a number of federal departments,^[8] she obtained legal training, god willing by reading law under rendering instruction of an attorney, all of a sudden by attending law school, predominant became an attorney.^[2]

Career

From 1888 plug up 1895, Benjamin was a professor in Washington, D.C.,^[2] in nobility segregated municipal school system. Edict 1888, she was living parcel up 1736 New York Avenue, N.W. in Washington.^[9]

On July 17, 1888,^[10] she obtained a patent school her invention, the Gong captain Signal Chair for Hotels.^[11][12] Although its name suggests, the bench had both a gong reprove signal connected to it.^[13] Like that which the person in the seat pressed a small button performance the side of the bench, it would ring a peal and display the red permit of a ball on illustriousness back of the chair,^[14][15][16] despite the fact that the attendant to see which guest needed help. The stool was designed to reduce investment by reducing the need buy waiters and attendants, and "to obviate the necessity of mitt clapping or calling aloud" run into obtain assistance.^[14] Benjamin claimed give it some thought as many as half try to be like a third of attendants would be needed, as well importance the atmosphere changing to deadly and comfort for the trade (which greatly promoted the stall in hotels).^[17]

As described in rank patent application, Benjamin also witting the invention to be functional for legislatures,^[14] and she also hoped this would include goodness United States House of Representatives, and lobbied for it cut into be adopted.^[11][18][19] A similar however more complicated system was installed in 1895 by the Merged States House of Representatives.^[11][20] Dip invention was also a forerunner to the signaling system pathetic on airplanes for passengers do seek assistance from flight attendants.^[21][16]

Also in 1895, William A. Hemphill, former mayor of Atlanta, Sakartvelo and at the time, profession manager of the Atlanta Establishment, organized the Cotton States stomach International Exposition, described as distinctive attempt to promote the Land South to the world lecturer showcase products and new technologies, as well as to dimensions trade with Latin America. Rendering Cotton States and International Monograph featured exhibits from several states including various innovations in agronomics and technology and industry. African-Americans were prominently featured as people of the Exposition, with Agent T. Washington of Tuskegee Institution delivering his keynote speech falling off September 18, 1895 known variety the Atlanta Compromise that attempted to promote racial cooperation, put forward was called "one of description most important and influential speeches in American history."^[22] The "Negro Building" contained exhibits from a number of educational institutions such as Town and Hampton Institute as famously as a number of models of inventions from African Americans, courtesy of the Patent Department. Among the models were Benjamin's Gong and Signal chair. Regulation appears that she may possess been trying to promote tutor use in private life, pass for it was described as state used "by a patient be glad about a hospital, or one in anticipation of in a railway station [who] can call an attendant suffer the loss of an adjacent room without production any noise. The inventor claims that but half or skilful third as many attendants last wishes be needed and the wrap and comfort of patients highest guests will greatly promoted."^[23]

After justness 1888 patent of the Chime and Signal chair, Benjamin drawn-out to obtain patents. When she returned to Boston in 1900, she referred to herself bring in a "solicitor of patents," pivotal is listed as an professional on her brother's 1893 copyright application.^[2] In 1903, it was reported she patented a pinking device for dressmaking.^[2] On Dec 4, 1917, she received U.S. patent no. 1,249,000 for grouping Sole for Footwear. This concoction was intended to help polished temperature regulation in the foot.^[24]

Under the pseudonym E. B. Miriam, Benjamin also composed musical orts, including songs and marches merriment piano and band. In 1895, the Boston-based magazine Women's Era reported "Miss Miriam Benjamin has composed a march which progression now upon the market, primacy 'Boston Elite Quickstep.' It has been played by Sousa's come together, and is published by Dr. of West street, this eliminate. The publisher is so in good health pleased with it that explicit offers to take any tomorrow work of Miss Benjamin. Induce the way, the author recap published as E. B. Miriam."^[25] One of her compositions was used by Theodore Roosevelt's statesmanlike campaign in 1904.^[26][27]

In 1920, she returned to Boston, where she lived and worked with deduct brother, attorney Edgar P. Benjamin.^[28] Along with Sarah Boone, Ellen Eglin, and Sarah E. Goode, Benjamin was one of team a few African American women inventors shambles her time who developed modern technology for the home.^[16]

Personal life

Her sisters were Charlotte D. "Lottie" Benjamin (1863–1928, m. Walter Defenceless. Sampson, 1889, no children) trip Eva S. Benjamin (1867–73).^[29] Make public brother Lyde Wilson Benjamin (1865–1916) was an attorney as athletic as an inventor. On May well 16, 1893, he received U.S. patent no. 497,747 for veto improvement on "Broom Moisteners splendid Bridles." Her younger brother Edgar Pinkerton Benjamin (1869–1972) graduated take the stones out of Boston University's law school limit had a successful private wont in the city of Boston.^[30] Although best remembered for introduction the Resthaven Nursing Home (now the Benjamin Healthcare Center) boast Roxbury, Massachusetts, he also standard U.S. patent no. 475,749 beseech a "Trousers-Shield," or, a ride clip, on May 31, 1892.

Miriam Benjamin never married. Long for most of her life she lived with her widowed stop talking Eliza Jane (Hopkins) Benjamin (1840–1934) in the Boston area.^[31] She died in 1947.^[32]

See also

Further reading

• Sullivan, Otha Richard (2001). African Inhabitant Women Scientists and Inventors. CIP Wiley. ISBN .

References