From traffic lights to peanut butter, Black inventors have introduced countless innovations that have shaped modern life. Though their contributions are often overlooked, they have also invented many everyday items in our homes. These inventors have profoundly impacted how we live, improving everything from home security to hair care.

Here are some common household products you may not know were invented by Black people:

1. The Home Security System

Feeling safe at home is a priority for everyone, and we have Marie Van Brittan Brown to thank for inventing the first home security system in 1966. A Black woman from New York, Brown, developed a system that combined peepholes, cameras, microphones, and TV monitors to create the first closed-circuit television (CCTV) system. Her invention was revolutionary, laying the groundwork for modern home surveillance.

2. The Ironing Board

An item we often take for granted, the ironing board, was improved by Sarah Boone, a seamstress from North Carolina. In 1892, Boone patented her design for a more effective ironing board, particularly useful for pressing the sleeves and bodies of women’s garments. Her invention made ironing more efficient, and its influence continues today.

3. Refrigerator Innovations

Albert H. (Al) Gant didn’t invent the refrigerator, but he significantly improved refrigeration technology. His innovations helped enhance the performance of refrigeration units, paving the way for the advanced models we use today.

4. Hair Care Products

Madam C.J. Walker is a household name in the beauty industry. She is known for revolutionizing hair care with her line of beauty products. Her work shaped the standards for Black hair care and left an enduring legacy in the beauty world.

5. The Lawn Mower Rotary Blade

John Albert Burr made lawn care more efficient with his 1899 invention of a rotary blade that prevented grass clippings from clogging the mower. His innovation made lawn maintenance more manageable and more effective, saving time and effort.