Sarah E. Goode

First African American woman to receive a U.S. patent, breaking racial and gender barriers through innovation

Sarah E. Goode (1855–1905) made history as the first African American woman to receive a United States patent, a monumental achievement during an era of systemic racial and gender discrimination. Born into slavery, Goode later became a entrepreneur and inventor whose folding cabinet bed (Patent #322,177) revolutionized urban living spaces for working-class families.

Her invention addressed the critical need for multifunctional furniture in cramped urban apartments. The bed could be folded into a desk during daytime, maximizing limited space – a concept that predated modern convertible furniture by decades. This innovation not only improved living conditions but also challenged societal perceptions of African Americans' intellectual capabilities.

Goode's Chicago-based furniture store became a hub for practical innovations, where she personally assisted customers in optimizing their living spaces. Her business acumen and technical skills defied stereotypes, paving the way for future generations of minority inventors. Historians at the Smithsonian Institution recognize her patent as a landmark in American innovation history.

Through her perseverance in securing intellectual property rights and building a successful enterprise, Goode demonstrated that innovation transcends racial and gender barriers. Her legacy continues to inspire STEM programs targeting underrepresented communities, proving that one invention can indeed make a lasting difference in societal progress.