Inventor Henry BlairInventor Henry Blair

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Harry JohnsonHarry Johnson

33rdrd. Period Dr. Kugler. Period Dr. Kugler

The Idea

Henry Blair’s Background

He was born in Montgomery County, Maryland, U.S.A. in 1807. It is believed that he spent his life as a farmer and was a free man, because slaves were not able to receive patents. For a long time Blair was thought to be the first African American to receive a patent, and is still confused today as being the first. It was later found out that actually Thomas Jennings received a patent for his invention of the dry cleaning process in 1821.

The Patent

Blair received his first patent on October 14, 1834 for his invention of the corn seed planter. It allowed the farmers to plant their corn much faster, and with much less labor. The machine also helped with weed control. He later received another patent in 1836 for the invention of the cotton planter. The cotton planter was very similar to the seed planter in the way that it was put together.

The Lay OutThe Lay Out