Thomas L. Jennings: Difference between revisions
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==Changes in patent law== |
==Changes in patent law== |
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In 1857, Oscar Stuart, a slave owner, patented a "double cotton scraper." He did not, in fact, invent the double cotton scraper; historical records show that the only name given for the actual inventor was Ned, his slave. In his defense, Stuart claimed that "the master is the owner of the fruits of the labor of the slave, both manual and intelleuctual" to receive patents for their inventions. In a challenge to the patent, of ''Stuart vs. Ned'', the Patent Office decided in Stuart's favor. They changed the law in 1858 to exclude the granting of patents to slaves, as they were not considered [[citizens]].<ref name="Thomas Jennings, About.com"/> |
In 1857, Oscar Stuart, a slave owner, patented a "double cotton scraper." He did not, in fact, invent the double cotton scraper; historical records show that the only name given for the actual inventor was Ned, his slave. In his defense, Stuart claimed that "the master is the owner of the fruits of the labor of the slave, both manual and intelleuctual" to receive patents for their inventions. In a challenge to the patent, of ''Stuart vs. Ned'', the Patent Office decided in Stuart's favor. They changed the law in 1858 to exclude the granting of patents to slaves, as they were not considered [[citizens]].<ref name="Thomas Jennings, About.com"/>wot up boypusse |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 20:39, 8 February 2010
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 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2007) |
Thomas L. Jennings (1791–1856) was a leading abolitionist. He was a free black tradesman who operated a dry-cleaning business in New York City, New York and was the first African American to be granted a patent.[1][2]
Jennings' skills were so accepted that people near and far-off came to him to alter or custom-tailor objects of clothing for them. When he was thirty years old, in 1821, he was granted a patent for a dry cleaning process called "dry scouring." This enabled him to build up his business.
The first money Jennings earned was spent on the legal fees to purchase his family out of slavery, and then to support the abolitionist cause.
In 1831, Jennings became assistant secretary to the First Annual Convention of the People of Color in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Changes in patent law
In 1857, Oscar Stuart, a slave owner, patented a "double cotton scraper." He did not, in fact, invent the double cotton scraper; historical records show that the only name given for the actual inventor was Ned, his slave. In his defense, Stuart claimed that "the master is the owner of the fruits of the labor of the slave, both manual and intelleuctual" to receive patents for their inventions. In a challenge to the patent, of Stuart vs. Ned, the Patent Office decided in Stuart's favor. They changed the law in 1858 to exclude the granting of patents to slaves, as they were not considered citizens.[1]wot up boypusse
References
- ^ a b "Thomas Jennings", About.com, accessed 2 Jul 2008
- ^ "Thomas L. Jennings.", Infoplease.com, accessed 28 Jan. 2010 © 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease.