5 Black Tech Pioneers Who Changed the Industry

1. Granville Woods – The "Black Edison" Who Revolutionized Electrical Engineering

📅 Lived: 1856 – 1910
🔬 Key Innovation: Electrical railway systems & communication technology

In the late 19th century, as steam-powered locomotives roared across the United States, Granville Woods saw a dangerous problem—trains had no reliable way to communicate with each other. Railway accidents were common, caused by miscommunication, outdated signaling methods, and the sheer difficulty of coordinating multiple trains on the same track. Woods, a self-taught electrical engineer with an unmatched curiosity for innovation, knew he could change that.

Born in 1856 in Columbus, Ohio, Woods faced systemic racial barriers that made formal education nearly impossible. Still, his passion for mechanics and electricity drove him to teach himself electrical engineering while working in steel mills and railroads. By 1887, he had invented one of his most groundbreaking contributions—the Induction Telegraph. This device allowed moving trains to wirelessly communicate with stations and other trains, reducing collisions and improving railway efficiency. It was a game-changer in an era when railway expansion was booming.

Woods' genius didn't stop there. Over his lifetime, he secured more than 60 patents, including innovations in brake systems, electrical railways, and power distribution—many of which directly influenced modern transit systems. His electric railway technology helped lay the groundwork for the streetcars and subways we rely on today.

But his success also attracted powerful challengers. Thomas Edison, one of the most famous inventors of the time, saw Woods’ patents as a threat. Edison tried to buy Woods’ telegraph technology, but Woods refused. When Edison later claimed credit for the invention, Woods took him to court—and won. His victory not only secured his legacy but also proved that Black innovators deserved recognition and ownership of their creations.
 

Lasting Impact

Today, Granville Woods is remembered as one of the greatest Black inventors in history, a man whose work revolutionized public transportation and electrical engineering. His inventions continue to influence modern train and subway systems, making travel safer, faster, and more efficient.

Though history may have tried to overshadow his achievements, Woods' legacy powers on—literally—every time a train safely reaches its destination.

2. Dr. Gladys West – The Mathematician Who Helped Invent GPS

📅 Born: 1930
🛰 Key Innovation: Mathematical modeling that led to the development of GPS

Ever used Google Maps, Waze, or a GPS system in your car? You can thank Dr. Gladys West, the mathematician whose calculations made global positioning systems (GPS) possible.

Born in 1930 in rural Virginia, West excelled in school and earned a degree in mathematics—a remarkable achievement at a time when opportunities for Black women in STEM were scarce. She later joined the U.S. Naval Weapons Laboratory, where she worked on satellite data and mathematical models to accurately map the shape of the Earth. Her groundbreaking work in geodesy and satellite tracking became the foundation for what we now know as GPS technology.

For decades, her contributions remained largely unknown, but today, her impact is felt across the world—in every navigation app, fitness tracker, and smartphone.

Lasting Impact

Dr. Gladys West’s work revolutionized modern navigation, making everyday tools like GPS, Google Maps, and ride-sharing apps possible. Without her, we’d still be unfolding paper maps or asking for directions! 

3. Mark Dean – The Co-Inventor of the IBM Personal Computer

📅 Born: 1957
🖥️ Key Innovation: Co-developed the IBM personal computer (PC)

Mark Dean is a tech legend responsible for developing some of the most important innovations in personal computing. If you’ve ever used a PC, you can thank him!

When we think of personal computers today, we often credit companies like Apple and Microsoft, but Mark Dean was one of the brilliant minds who helped create the modern PC. Born in 1957, Dean had a passion for technology from a young age, excelling in math and engineering. After earning a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, he joined IBM, where he would go on to develop some of the most fundamental innovations in computing history.

In the early 1980s, Dean was part of the small team of engineers that designed the first IBM personal computer (PC). He didn’t just contribute—he led the way. He co-invented the IBM PC and played a key role in developing the first color computer monitor, forever changing how people interacted with technology.

But one of his biggest breakthroughs was the invention of the ISA bus (Industry Standard Architecture)—a technology that allowed computers to connect with printers, modems, and other external devices. This was a game-changer, paving the way for today’s plug-and-play functionality that makes setting up devices seamless.

Lasting Impact

Mark Dean holds three of IBM’s original nine PC patents, securing his place in history as one of the pioneers of modern computing. His innovations made personal computers faster, more efficient, and more accessible, shaping the digital world we rely on today.

Without his work, the computers we use every day—at home, at work, and on the go—wouldn’t be the same.

4. Lisa Gelobter – The Woman Behind Web Animation & GIFs

📅 Born: 1971
🎨 Key Innovation: Developed early web animation technology (GIFs)

If you’ve ever sent a GIF, streamed a video online, or watched an animated ad, you have Lisa Gelobter to thank. A computer scientist and software engineer, Gelobter’s innovations transformed the way we experience digital media, shaping the internet as we know it today.

In the early days of the internet, websites were mostly static pages of text and images. But Gelobter helped bring them to life. She was a key developer behind Shockwave, one of the first technologies that enabled animations and interactive media on the web—paving the way for today’s GIFs, memes, and video streaming.

But her influence didn’t stop there. As video technology advanced, Gelobter worked on pioneering video streaming platforms, contributing to early development at Hulu and laying the groundwork for services like YouTube and Netflix.
 

Lasting Impact

Lisa Gelobter’s innovations built the foundation of modern web media, shaping how we create, share, and consume content online. From the GIFs we send in text messages to the seamless video experiences we enjoy on streaming platforms, her work continues to influence social media, entertainment, and digital storytelling.

The next time you send a GIF or stream a show, remember that a Black woman in tech helped make it possible.

5. Dr. Marian Croak – The Pioneer of VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol)

📅 Born: 1955
📞 Key Innovation: VoIP technology (internet-based phone calls)

Dr. Marian Croak is a trailblazing engineer responsible for pioneering Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)—the technology that allows us to make internet-based phone calls, video calls, and conferencing.

Imagine a world without Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime—a world where making a long-distance call required expensive phone lines instead of a simple internet connection. Thanks to Dr. Marian Croak, that world is a thing of the past. As a trailblazing engineer and inventor, Croak pioneered Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), a technology that transformed global communication by making phone and video calls over the internet possible.

In the early days of the internet, voice communication was still heavily dependent on traditional telephone networks. Dr. Croak saw a better way—transmitting voice data over the internet instead of old-school phone lines. Her innovations laid the foundation for modern video conferencing, remote work, and digital communication. Today, whether you're taking a work call on Microsoft Teams, catching up with family on FaceTime, or having a virtual meeting on Zoom, you’re using technology built on her groundbreaking work.

Her contributions to digital communication technology don’t stop there. She holds over 200 patents related to networking, voice technology, and artificial intelligence. Currently, she leads Google’s AI & Engineering team, shaping the future of machine learning and smart communication.
 

Lasting Impact

Dr. Marian Croak’s innovations have revolutionized the way we connect, making remote work, global collaboration, and instant video communication a reality. Her work has not only transformed modern communication but continues to drive the future of AI and digital networks.

The next time you join a video call or send a voice message, you’re benefiting from Dr. Croak’s legacy—one that continues to keep the world connected.

Honoring Black Excellence in Tech

From revolutionizing transportation to shaping the internet and space exploration, these Black tech pioneers pushed boundaries, broke barriers, and changed the world. Their contributions continue to impact industries, inspire innovation, and open doors for future generations in STEM.

If you want to learn more about how to celebrate Black History Month, check out our blog post on Black History Events In Boston.