Black Inventors Who Don’t Get the Credit They Deserve

Black Inventors Who Don’t Get the Credit They Deserve

Shannon Quinn - February 15, 2023

Black Inventors Who Don’t Get the Credit They Deserve
Because of Richard Spikes, we no longer need to manually start cars. Credit: Shutterstock

Richard Spikes Invented the Self-Starter for Cars

Richard Spikes revolutionized the field of transportation with several important innovations. He gained recognition as one of the most influential African American inventors of his time. Spikes’ most notable contribution was the self-starter for automobiles, which replaced the dangerous and cumbersome task of manual starting. This invention greatly popularized the use of cars and made them easier and safer to operate. Not only did Spikes excel as an inventor, but he also showcased his entrepreneurial skills by participating in the establishment of companies that produced and sold his inventions. Because of him, all we have to do is turn a key to get our cars started.

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