|
BKFK Home Page | BKFK Kids | Inventors | Benjamin, Miriam
Miriam E. Benjamin
-
Gong and Signal ChairMiriam Benjamin was
an inspirational african american inventor and the second
black woman in history to receive a patent. Her invention
was called a Gong and Signal Chair for Hotels.
-
Her patent application states that the
chair will "reduce the expenses of hotels by decreasing the
number of waiters and attendants, to add to the convenience
and comfort of guests and to obviate the necessity of hand
clapping or calling aloud to obtain the services of pages."
Her patent was issued on July 17, 1888.
-
Patrons of a restaurant would press a
small button on their chair to signal their waiter or
waitress. Instead of waving or shouting "MISS!", they could
obtain services quietly and remain respectful of other
patrons. Sound familiar? It should, it was the inspiration
for the call buttons used on airlines to signal flight
attendants!
-
Can you imagine taking a flight with
everyone shouting and waving to the flight attendants?
Thanks to Miriam Benjamin, we don't have to!
-
Learn about more
African American inventors here.
|
