BHS Day 12: David Crosthwait Jr.

Hi! Today we're focusing on one of my favorite things about this Spotlight, inventions. For me, inventions fall under both technology and science, but to be honest I wasn't sure where else to put it if not this category. lol Today's entrant deserves his moment because a few of his inventions drastically changed how we live today. I think I've said this in a previous Spotlight but my favorite kinds of Black inventions to read about are the ones that are now part of our daily lives. So every time a racist has to stop at a light, or turn a doorknob, or use one of the things created by today's entrant, thinking they're living as normal, they're touching something integral to life that we created, that wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the innovation inside a Black man's head. It's petty but tickles me endlessly because I'm quite sure most of them aren't aware those things are Black-made nor would they be able to have a workable alternative for many of them if they were to try not to use them. I know, it's extremely petty.😩I'm gonna try to do better. Someday. Moving on, let's get into it!

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Name: David Nelson Crosthwait, Jr., 1898-1976

Profession: Electrical and mechanical engineer, inventor, writer, professor

Why is the Spotlight on him today? For his inventions and contributions to the engineering industry, which have had a lasting impact on the world

Notables:

--Created the heating systems for both Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center

--Holds over 100 total patents combined from his national and international product patent applications, most of which were for products designed around heating systems for larger buildings

--Contributed to one of the early versions of American Society of Heating and Ventilation Engineers Guide

--Attended Purdue University on a full academic scholarship, where he received a Bachelor's in Science and later a Master's in Engineering while focusing on temperature-regulating tech

--Began working at the Durham Company, where he became Director of the Durham Research Department a few years after graduation 

--Served as the Technical Director of the newly merged Dunham-Bush company, a position he held for over 30 years

--Became an instructor at Purdue after formally retiring, teaching up and coming engineers about control systems and steam heating theories

--Was a member of the American Chemical Society

--Was the first Black fellow appointed to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers

--Was a fellow of the American Society for the Advancement of Science

--Was acknowledged for his work by the National Technological Association

--Was granted an honorary doctorate degree from Purdue a year before his death

Further reading and resources:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 

Quote of the Day:

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Today's organization: Black Youth Project

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What does this organization provide? Content, information and research that helps create a voice and solid platform for today's generation of Black millennials. While originally developed as a research platform to look into issues affecting Black youth, it eventually shifted into a platform with user-submitted material that helps provide personal insight into everyday life surrounding those and other issues. 

 Submit content | Work with BYP  | BYP100

See you tomorrow!