of the race in
the mastery of the science of mechanics. They cover inventions of more
or less importance in all the branches of mechanics, in chemical
compounds, in surgical instruments, in electrical utilities, and in the
fine arts as well.

From the numerous statements made by various attorneys to the effect
that they have had several colored clients whose names they could not
recall, and whose inventions they could not identify on their books, it
is practically certain that the nearly 800 verified patents do not
represent more than one-half of those that have been actually granted to
colored inventors, and that the credit for these must perhaps forever
lie hidden in the unbreakable silence of official records.

But before directing attention specifically to some of the very
interesting details disclosed by this latest investigation into the
subject, let us consider for a brief moment a few of the inventions
which colored men have made, but for which no patents appear to be of
record.

I should place foremost among these that wonderful clock constructed by
our first astronomer, Benjamin Banneker, of Maryland. Banneker's span of
earthly existence covered the 75 years from 1731 to 1806. His parentage
was of African and English origin, and his mental equipment was far
above the average of his day and locality in either race. Aside from his
agricultural pursuits, on which he relied for a livelihood, he devoted
his time mainly to scientific and mechanical studies, producing two
things by which he will be long remembered: An almanac and a clock. The
latter he constructed with crude tools, and with no knowledge of any
other timepiece except a watch and a sundial; yet the clock he made was
so perfect in every detail of its mechanical construction, so accurate
in the mathematical calculations involved, that it struck the hours with
faultless precision for twenty years, and was the mechanical wonder of
his day and locality.

Another instance is that of Mr. James Forten, of Philadelphia, who is
credited with the invention of an apparatus for managing sails. He lived
from 1766 to 1842, and his biographer says he amassed a competence from
his invention and lived in leisurely comfort as a consequence.

Still another instance is that of Robert Benjamin Lewis, who was born in
Gardiner, Me., in 1802. He invented a machine for picking oakum, which
machine is said to be in use to-day in all the essential particulars of
its origina