On March 3, 1821, Thomas L/.Jennings became the first African American to receive a U.S. patent for his groundbreaking dry scouring technique. At just 30 years old, he earned exclusive rights to his invention, preventing others from using or selling his method without his permission.
This was a monumental achievement, not only for Jennings but also for African Americans, as securing a patent in those times was a rarity for people of colour.
Jennings’ dry scouring invention not only changed the way we care for our clothes today but also became a major source of income for him. However, instead of focusing solely on personal wealth, Jennings turned his profits into a force for good. A staunch abolitionist, he poured his earnings into civil rights causes, funding efforts to free enslaved family members and supporting abolitionist campaigns.
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