African American pioneers of invention exhibition open at African American Museum through March 19

Dallas, Texas -- Did you know that the three-light traffic light was invented by an African American? Or that laser cataract surgery was invented by a female African American ophthalmologist? And that Richard Bowie Spikes devised the first automatic transmission?

Designed to inspire and enlighten, the family-friendly exhibition shines a light on the many contributions African Americans have made while illustrating the exciting science behind the engineering feats.

Inventions include groundbreaking game-changers such as the IBM computer (co-invented by Mark E. Dean) and the traffic light (Garrett Morgan) along with common household staples like the ironing board (Sarah Boone), pencil sharpener (John Lee Love), world's first hair-straightening formula (Madam C. J. Walker) and curtain rod (Samuel Scottron). These creative pioneers have played a major role in revolutionizing modern society while paving the way for the next generation of STEM innovators to think bold and outside the box.

Located at 3536 Grand Ave. in Dallas' historic Fair Park, the African American Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and is closed Mondays and Sundays.

For more information including details on group and school field-trip tickets, go to aamdallas.org or call 214-565-9026.

About the African American Museum, Dallas

The African America Museum, Dallas was founded in 1974 as a part of Bishop College. The Museum has operated independently since 1979. For more than 40 years, the African American Museum has stood as a cultural beacon in Dallas and the Southwestern United States. Located in Dallas' historic Fair Park, the African American Museum is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials that relate to the African American experience. The African American Museum incorporates a wide variety of visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African American experience in the United States, Southwest, and Dallas. The Museum has a small, but rich collection of African art, African American fine art and one of the largest African American folk-art collections in the United States. Learn more at aamdallas.org.

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