HistorianSpeaks emblemHistorianSpeaksSubscribe

Thomas Jennings, Black Inventor

Thomas Jennings, Black inventor
Thomas Jennings, Black inventor

On Mar 3, 1821: Thomas Jennings receives a patent (U.S Patent 3306x),  the 1st U.S. patent issued to a Black inventor. A skilled tailor and owner of a dry cleaning business, Jennings invented dry scouring, an early method of dry cleaning.

#ThomasJennings #BlackInventor #DryCleaning

Share:
Cite this blog:
"Thomas Jennings, Black Inventor." Historianspeaks, March 9, 2026. https://historianspeaks.org/blog/thomas-jennings-black-inventor.

Ask the Historian

Have a question about this story, or an idea for a future post? Send it here.

Stay Current

Join our mailing list

One dispatch a week: a new essay, a podcast episode, and something from the archive worth a second look.