Did you know that Vicks VapoRub + the Gatling gun were invented right here in North Carolina? From tobacco pipes to parasols, we’ve compiled a list of some of the state’s most interesting inventors and their inventions.
George Joseph Laurer | Universal bar code
George Joseph Laurer — born in Raleigh in 1925 — helped create the Universal Product Code system during his time at IBM at Research Triangle Park. George joined IBM in 1951 + became a Senior Engineer in 1969. He held 25 patents in his lifetime. Another Raleigh resident — Joseph Woodland — is credited with doing some of the earliest work on the project, as well as patenting the barcode.
Mary Kenner + Mildred Smith | Board game
Mary Kenner — born in Monroe, NC in 1912 — has the most patents of any Black woman in the US, with inventions ranging from a toilet paper holder to a board game she invented with her sister, Mildred Smith. Mary also invented a sanitary belt in the 1950’s — which was going to be patented + sold by the Sonn-Nap-Pack Company, until they found out she was Black and pulled out of the deal. She didn’t receive a patent for 30 more years, but she continued to invent things for the rest of her life.
Abigail Carter | Overalls
In 1859, Abigail Carter — from Clinton, NC — invented a pair of overalls for her husband, a railroad engineer. His unique + sturdy outfit was a hit with his coworkers + they started asking Abigail if they could have a pair of their own. The overalls were such a hit that she opened a business for them, becoming the first overalls manufacturer in the US.
Malcom McLean | Containerized shipping
Malcom McLean — born in Maxton, NC in 1913 — started a trucking company to help his family during the Great Depression. One day, Malcom watched dock workers move goods by hand and thought it would be more efficient if a trailer could be lifted + placed directly on the ship. He bought 2 oil tankers and got a bank loan to buy facilities for his venture and invented the modern intermodal shipping container. Longshoremen went on strike, but shipping costs dropped $5.86 a ton to 16 cents.
Beulah Louise Henry | Vacuum-sealed ice cream freezer
Beulah Henry — born in Raleigh in 1887 — is credited with 100+ inventions and ~50 US patents during her lifetime, earning her the nickname Lady Edison. She received her first patent for a vacuum-sealed ice cream freezer when she was 25 years old. Some of her other inventions include making improvements to common household items like sewing machines, umbrellas, dolls, and more.
Lunsford Lane | Tobacco pipe
Lunsford Lane — born into slavery outside of Raleigh in 1803 — was NC’s first Black inventor. While he was enslaved, Lunsford was allowed to earn money, as long as he finished his farm work. He invented a pipe + created a special blend of tobacco, but because he was enslaved, the pipe could not be patented. He saved $1,000, bought his family’s freedom, and moved them to New York, where some Black inventors were able to secure patents later.
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