In our ongoing series celebrating Black inventors whose creations remain impactful today, we’ve highlighted remarkable figures like Dr. Patricia Bath, the ophthalmologist who revolutionized cataract treatment with her Laserphaco Probe in 1986, and David Price, the young innovator behind The Safety Pouch, designed to improve interactions between civilians and law enforcement.
But behind these modern advancements stand trailblazers from centuries past, whose ingenuity laid the foundation for today’s innovations. Among them are Garrett A. Morgan, the prolific inventor behind the gas mask, hair relaxer, and the three-signal traffic light, and Sarah E. Goode, a former enslaved woman turned entrepreneur. Goode’s invention of the “folding cabinet bed”—now known as the Murphy bed—emerged from her Chicago furniture store, catering to working-class Black residents living in tight spaces. Her patented design, which doubled as a desk with storage compartments, made her one of the first African-American women to receive a U.S. patent in 1885.
These stories of innovation and perseverance deserve to be preserved and celebrated. That’s why we’re shining a light on Isaac R. Johnson, the inventor of the modern bicycle frame.
Born in New York in 1812, Johnson wasn’t the first to create a bicycle frame, but he perfected it, becoming the first Black person to patent the design. His version, which closely resembles the bicycles we use today, was revolutionary for its foldable and detachable features, making it easy to store and transport. Johnson marketed his invention as an ideal companion for travel and leisure.
Johnson filed his patent in April 1899, and the documentation provides valuable insight into his life and work. At the time, he lived in Manhattan and described his invention as an improved bicycle frame, emphasizing its compact storage capabilities. The design included detailed instructions for assembly and disassembly, highlighting its practicality.
In his patent application, Johnson explained the unique features of his invention: “a steering-head section and a frame having a slot-and-stud connection for detachably uniting,” and “a bicycle-frame having a front and rear sheath or tube-section, and a steering-post sleeve and seat-post tube to which the sheaths are removably connected.”
The durability and versatility of Johnson’s design were put to the test by the all-Black 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, a U.S. Military unit tasked with riding 1,900 miles from Montana to Missouri after the Civil War. The soldiers navigated the Rocky Mountains and endured harsh weather conditions, often traveling off-road, to evaluate the bicycle’s suitability for cross-country use. Averaging 6 mph, they completed the journey in 41 days, proving the reliability of Johnson’s invention.
Isaac R. Johnson’s contributions to bicycle design remain a testament to his ingenuity and foresight. His work, alongside that of other pioneering Black inventors, continues to shape our world today. Let’s celebrate their achievements and ensure their legacies endure for generations to come.
Photo Courtesy of Urban Intellectuals/United States Patent and Trademark Office
