David Crosthwait

 African Americans Influential in Technology

In the 1920s and 1930s David Crosthwait invented a vacuum pump, a boiler, and a thermostat control. These inventions were all for more effective heating systems for larger buildings. Crosthwait lived during segregation and the Jim Crow era, where it was relatively rare for an African American to achieve notability in sciences. His parents and teachers were supportive of his interest in science and inventing at an early age. He went to an all-black school in Kansas City, Kansas. While attending he earned a full academic scholarship to Purdue University. He got his bachelor's degree at Purdue University in 1913 and a Masters in 1920. After his studies, from 1925 to 1930, he became a Research Engineer, Director of Research Laboratories for C.A. Dunham Company. He created many different heating systems, refrigeration methods, temperature regulating devices, and vacuum pumps. He holds 39 U.S. patents and 80 international patents. Crosthwait worked as technical advisor of Dunham-Bush from the years 1930 to 1971. When he retired during the 70s, he began teaching a course on steam heating theory and control systems at Purdue University. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Purdue in 1975 and was named Fellow of the AAAS, American Association for the Advancement of Science. He also served as a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, the American Chemical Society, and the National Society of Professional Engineers. A further testament to his groundbreaking creations in the HVAC field. He overcame adversity and created new areas in his field. To combat racial bias, it's important to empower diversity. Having individuals of varied backgrounds with their own perspectives to promote more inclusive development processes. To combat these negative effects and create more unbiased technology, it is necessary to acknowledge the inherent flaws in our everyday systems.