UPDATE: The winner is…Mary Preston!
*~*~*
In her work, she saw the need for an ironing board that would aid in her care and maintenance of women’s dresses. Before the invention of the ironing board, women simply ironed clothes either on a board laid across the backs of two chairs or a table. At the age of 60, dressmaker Sarah Boone’s invention was created “to produce a cheap, simple, convenient and highly effective device, particularly adapted to be used in ironing the sleeves and bodies of ladies’ garments.”
While she did not create the ironing board, her device improved upon it by adding a padded surface and a smaller rounded end. It was also collapsible, so you can see how her improvements led to the ironing board in use today. The wording of the patent indicates that the invention had the potential to be adapted for men’s clothing. She received her patent in 1892 making her the second African-American woman to receive a patent.
She lived in New Haven not far from Yale University for the rest of her life and attended the Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church. She died in 1904 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. This PBS station did a very nice piece on her. You can view it here: https://www.pbs.org/video/engineering-behind-ironing-board-dqh4ly/.
A slave at fifteen. A patent holder at sixty. When you hear people harping on age being detrimental instead of an asset, tell them about Sarah Marshall Boone.
For a $10 chance at an Amazon gift card share your thoughts on Sarah’s life or ageism.
Better To Marry Than to Burn
Freed Man seeking woman to partner in marriage for at least two years in the black township of Douglass, Texas. Must be willing and able to help establish a legacy. Marital relations as necessary. Love neither required nor sought.
Excerpt:
“Our children?” She swiveled in her seat. “You made no mention of wanting children, just marital relations as necessary. I understood that to mean intercourse.”
“I wrote I wanted to leave a legacy.”
“A legacy. Not a dynasty.”
“Legacy. Dynasty. Is there really so sharp a distinction?”
“To my mind there is. I understood you meant to affect future generations—endow schools, found churches, create civic associations. I didn’t realize that meant children. I agreed to having sex, not having children.”
“Of course I want children.” His brows grew heavy as he frowned. “Doesn’t having sex lead to having children?”
“Not with the right precautions.”
His frown deepened. “Precautions?”
“There are many ways to prevent your seed from taking root, Mr. King.”
“I want children, Mrs. King.”
Her lips twisted and her brow furrowed, but she kept her silence.
“All right,” she said. “You can have children with any woman you like. I won’t stop you. I free you from any claim to fidelity.”
“Legacy—or dynasty if you will—means legitimacy. No bastard will carry my name, not when I have a wife to bear me children.”
“I see.”
Her tone signaled she didn’t.
Buy link: https://amzn.to/2KTaGPH
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/106e6b05cdfe/michal-scotts-newsletter
Website: https://www.michalscott.webs.com
Comment
As always, Delilah, thanks for letting my share my love of Black women’s history on your blog.
Comment
I love that story. While my ironing board can be the bane of my existence, the changes she made really do make it better. I wish we had learned about this in school.
Comment
So true Jennifer. Her story makes me look at lots of things I use on a daily basis and wonder whose story I haven’t been told. Thanks for commenting.
Comment
Love Sarah’s story! What courage and determination. And what an ingenious idea–I had no idea that part of the ironing board wasn’t original with the initial invention. I remember being a college freshman and ironing in my dorm on my bed and my desk–before Mom got me a small, portable board. (We had ironing boards in the dorm laundry room, but that was so far away!) Thank you for spotlighting yet another such remarkable woman.
Comment
My pleasure, Barbara. Thanks for commenting.
Comment
Very inventive. I am always impressed by those who see a need and create.
Comment
Her improvements impressed me, too. They were very practical and inventive enough to award her a patent. Thanks for commenting, Mary.
Comment
The best inventions are created out a need for something useful – I’m glad Sarah got out of slavery and sounds like she had a good life.
Comment
useful inventions
Comment
So true, Diane. More success stories like hers need to shared. Thanks for commenting.
Comment
Very useful, BN. I used to work in a law office that specialized in filing patents so I marvel at a former slave who navigated the system and obtained one. Thanks for commenting.
Comment
Love reading of women or men who show that age does not mean they no longer have anything to contribute. And to improve on something to make it better because Sarah Boone used it for her work and knew what would be better is perfect. Not surprising that a former slave could rise above because as slaves most were not given the chance to improve.
Comment
So true Sara D. Society puts people in boxes where they underestimate and limit them. Stories like Sarah’s are so heartening. Thanks for commenting.
Comment
Sarah would not let herself be defined by her circumstances or age… she made her own best self and life.
Comment
An inspiration for us to do likewise, Mary. Thanks for commenting.
Comment
Thank you for continuing to bring women like Sarah out of the shadows for us, Anna–it’s inspiring to see how she overcame such a difficult past to use her skills and talents to solve problems and make lives better, including her own. And it’s also a reminder that we can keep doing that.
Comment
Amen, flchen. Thanks for commenting.
Comment
She did not hesitate to try to make her life better, easier, she was still hoping and dreaming wile older so she really is an inspiration
Comment
I love reading your posts and Delilah’s blog. They are always informational and educational so thank you!
Comment
Glad to be of service. Buttonsmom
Comment
I agree, Miki. Especially now I’m up in age. Thanks for commenting.
Comment
Thanks to everyone who dropped by to comment! And thank you, again, to Anna for another enlightening post!
The winner of the GC is…Mary Preston!
Comment
THANK YOU!!