Thomas L. Jennings Invented Dry Cleaning
A man named Thomas L. Jennings was an African American inventor, abolitionist, and businessman who was born in New York City in 1791. Jennings is best known for his invention of a process for dry cleaning clothes, which he patented in 1821. Jennings’s invention was revolutionary because it provided a more efficient way to clean clothes. This was especially important in an era when most people had few items of clothing and took great care to keep them clean. His invention was widely adopted, and he became one of the first African American millionaires in the United States. In addition to his contributions as an inventor, Jennings was also a prominent abolitionist and was actively involved in the Underground Railroad.