Five Black Women Inventors Who Changed History

From telecommunications to gaming to medical devices, these pioneering women left lasting impacts.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The contributions of many Black women inventors have often been overlooked or underrepresented in historical narratives. This article highlights five remarkable Black women inventors who have transformed various industries, including Marian Croak's work on Voice over Internet Protocol, Muriel Tramis' pioneering role in the gaming industry, Sarah Boone's invention of the modern ironing board, Valerie Thomas' creation of 3D optical illusions, and Patricia Bath's revolutionary Laserphaco Probe for cataract surgery.

Why it matters

These inventors faced significant social and systemic barriers, yet their innovations have had a lasting impact on our daily lives. Recognizing their achievements is crucial to gaining a more inclusive understanding of history and the role of diverse innovators in shaping our modern world.

The details

The article profiles five Black women inventors and their groundbreaking contributions: Marian Croak, who helped develop Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology that powers video calls and remote work tools; Muriel Tramis, one of the first Black women video game designers who created story-driven adventure games exploring themes like slavery and politics; Sarah Boone, who patented an improved design for the modern ironing board; Valerie Thomas, who invented the illusion transmitter device that influenced 3D imaging and virtual reality; and Patricia Bath, who created the Laserphaco Probe, a revolutionary laser device for cataract surgery.

  • Marian Croak began her work at Bell Labs in the early days of internet and telecommunications research.
  • Muriel Tramis designed her first video game, Méwilo, in the male-dominated gaming industry of the 1980s.
  • Sarah Boone patented her improved ironing board design in 1892.
  • Valerie Thomas invented the illusion transmitter at NASA in 1980.
  • Patricia Bath patented the Laserphaco Probe in 1988.

The players

Marian Croak

An American engineer who played a major role in developing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology while working at Bell Labs and Google.

Muriel Tramis

A French video game designer who is recognized as one of the pioneers of the gaming industry, creating story-driven adventure games that explored complex themes like slavery and politics.

Sarah Boone

An African American inventor who patented an improved design for the modern ironing board in 1892, making it easier to iron curved clothing.

Valerie Thomas

An African American scientist who worked at NASA and invented the illusion transmitter, a device that could project three-dimensional images using mirrors and light.

Patricia Bath

An African American ophthalmologist who invented the Laserphaco Probe, a device that revolutionized cataract surgery and helped restore sight to countless people worldwide.

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The takeaway

These five Black women inventors overcame significant barriers to make groundbreaking contributions that have transformed industries and improved countless lives. Their stories serve as powerful reminders of the need to amplify diverse voices and ensure that the full breadth of innovation and progress is recognized in our historical narratives.