We all love to travel + explore, but how frequently do we stop and think about the innovators that have helped paved the way to allow us to do so? In honor of Black History Month, here are some leaders that we couldn’t travel without!

Written by Corinne Hogge and Amelia Johnson

Dr. Gladys West - Inventor of GPS Technology

An American mathematician, scientist, programmer and all-around genius known for helping to create an absolutely critical part of traveling - GPS.

Her contributions led to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth and was a part of the team of mathematicians who worked on the development of the satellite geodesy models that were eventually incorporated into the Global Positioning System. Two years ago, West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame.

The next time you are lost on vacation in a new place and using trusty Google Maps, thank Dr. West!

Bessie Coleman - First Black Woman to Hold a Pilot’s License

Bessie Coleman was the first African American and Native American woman to hold a pilot’s license. Because the flight schools in the U.S. denied Bessie entry, she taught herself French and traveled to France to enroll in courses there (earning her license in just seven months). Moreover, she was the first black person to ever receive their international pilot’s license! 

Being an incredible performer and stunt flyer, Bessie traveled back to the U.S. where she began performing parachute and aerial routines. She then continued to break barriers becoming the first Black woman to make a public flight in 1922.  

Bessie had aspirations to create a flight school for African-American fliers. Sadly, she passed away in a crash while testing out a new plane model. She was only 34-years old when she died but the legacy she created in her short life lives on. 

Lewis Latimer - Incandescent Light Bulb

Now, if we were to ask you who invented the light bulb you would probably say “Thomas Edison”, and while that is true, he did invent a light bulb, he didn’t invent what we in 2019 all think of.

While working for U.S. Electric Lighting, owned by Hiram Maxim (rival of Thomas Edison), Latimer devised a way of encasing the filament inside of the bulb within a cardboard envelope which prevented the carbon from breaking and thereby provided a much longer life to the bulb.

This made the bulbs less expensive and more efficient. Enabling electric lighting to be installed within homes and throughout the streets.

As you take an evening stroll down the street of a new city + are enjoying the warm glow of light, thank Mr. Latimer!

Eugene Jacques Bullard - First African-American Military Combat Pilot

Eugene Jacques Bullard was the first African-American military combat pilot. Born in 1895 in Georgia, Bullard moved to France and fought for the country during World War I as an infantryman. Shortly after the war, Bullard received his pilot’s license in 1917. 

Bullard lived an incredible life, ranging from being a boxer to a nightclub owner who mingled with stars such as Louis Armstrong and Josephine Baker. 

After being wounded in World War II, Bullard relocated to Harlem, New York and worked many odd jobs before finally became an elevator operator in Rockefeller center. 

Bullard undoubtedly paved the way for African Americans in the field of aviation.

Jan Ernst Matzeliger - Inventor of Modern Shoes

We usually recommend that travelers bring their walking shoes to wander on their Pack Up + Go trips because everyone knows one of the best parts of vacation is exploring the unknown!

We can thank Jan Ernst Matzeliger for developing the first technology that automated the shoemaking process and reduced the price of shoes for the masses. The cost of shoes used to be much higher, pricing them out for many Americans.

Thankfully, Matzeliger invented the automated machine that attached a shoe’s upper part to its sole. Once completed, the device could make 700 pairs of shoes each day - 650 more than when sewed by hand. Matzeliger's creation led to lower shoe prices, making them finally within financial reach for the average American.

So put on those shoes + stomp it out for Mr. Matzeliger!

Richard Spikes - Inventor of the Automatic Gear Shift

Whether you are on a road trip, cruising in a ride-share, or taking the public bus, we can all thank Richard Spikes for his advances to the art of driving.

In addition to the automatic gear shift (aka a blessing for every one of us who doesn’t know how to drive a manual car), Mr. Spikes invented automobile directional signals, the automatic safety brake, and the automatic car washer. His inventions made traveling by car easier and safer.

Extra for our beer lovers - Richard Spikes also invented the beer keg tap in 1910. Cheers!

Mark E. Dean - Inventor of the Personal Computer

Okay, well kind of!

If you ever owned a personal computer, you can partially credit its existence to Mark E. Dean. The computer scientist and engineer worked for IBM, where he led the team that designed the ISA bus—the hardware interface that allows multiple devices - like printers, modems, and keyboards - to be plugged into a computer. This innovation helped pave the way for the personal computer's use in office and business settings.

Dean also helped develop the first color computer monitor, and in 1999 he led the team of programmers that created the world's first gigahertz chip. Today, the computer scientist holds three of the company's original nine patents, and more than 20 overall. Dean was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1997.

He's currently a computer science professor at the University of Tennessee. Thank you, Mr. Dean, for creating something that is so critical to the Pack Up + Go process!

Mae Carol Jemison - The First Black Woman to Travel to Space

Mae Carol Jemison is the first Black woman to travel to space. 

An engineer, physician, and astronaut, Jemison joined NASA in 1987 where she served as a mission specialist abroad the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. After leaving NASA, Jemison founded a technological research company, a non-profit educational foundation, and has written several children's books.  

Jemison has been inducted to the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame. Today, Jemison uses her platform to speak about healthcare inequality in the United States and the developing world!

She remains an inspiration to women, space-enthusiasts, and scientists alike to never let limitations block you from your goals. We hope this quote inspires you this week:

“Life is full of adventures. Some of them will be more demanding than others, but they all teach us about the world and ourselves along the way.”

Mae Jemison

These great leaders + inventors helped innovate and transform the travel world we know today. Here at Pack Up + Go, we always strive to highlight influential people who allow us to do what we love.

We hope you learned something new about these transformative individuals!