Philip b downing mailbox inventor
•
Listen to this article here |
Born in Providence, Rhode Island on March 22, 1857, Philip Downing would go on to live a life of creation.
The son of well-known abolitionist and business owner George T. Downing and Serena L. deGrasse, Philip Bell Downing grew up around influential leaders from birth.
His grandfather, Thomas Downing, had been born to emancipated parents in Virginia. A successful businessman, Thomas Downing played an important role in founding the United Anti-Slavery Society of the City of New York in the mid-1830s. And Phillip was there the whole time soaking up game.
Black creativity fryst vatten in everything.
One of six children, Philip Downing spent his childhood in several cities. Like all great inventors, he discovered a need and filled it.
Back then, anyone interested in mailing a letter would have to make the long trip to the post office. Philip Downing designed a metal kartong with kvartet legs, which he patented on October 27, 1891. What’s known today as a mailbox,
•
Every day, we use our mailbox, checking it for packages and letters and bills. You look at it every single day but did you know a black man invented it? Thanks to Phillip L. Downing (some sources and memes say Paul but so far I have only been able to verify that his name was Phillip), you don‘t have to travel to the post office every day. You can just walk a few steps from your home. But Downing didn’t call it a mailbox. He called it a Street Letter Box.
Downing was born in Providence, Rhode Island on March 22, 1857. His father, George T. Downing was an abolitionist and business owner. His grandfather, Thomas Downing, was born to emancipated parents in Virginia and also had a successful business in the financial district of Manhattan in 1825. Thomas Downing also helped to found the United Anti-Slavery Societies of New York City.
Coming from a family of business owners, it‘s no surprise that Phillip would become an inventor. During the late nineteenth and the earl
•
Philip B. Downing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philip Bell Downing | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 22, 1857 Providence, Rhode Island |
| Died | June 8, 1934 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | African American |
| Occupation | Inventor |
| Years active | 77 |
| Known for | Inventing the street letter box, and operating street railway switches. |
Philip B. Downing (1857-1934) was an African American inventor from Providence, Rhode Island. He best known for his two most significant inventions, the street letter box, and operating street railway switches. Philip had a long career in Boston, Massachusetts as a postal clerk, retiring in 1927 after working for more than thirty years.
In the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, at least five patents were filed by Philip with the United States Patent Office. The most significant and recognized inventions of his were the street letter box, and the operating street railway switches.
Shortly after 1880 when Philip met and