The selectivity of this honor is not accidental; it reflects the racial and gender assumptions of the people who constructed and transmitted the historical record.

Black inventors, women inventors, and inventors from other historically marginalized groups have been present and active throughout American history.

The patent records demonstrate this clearly: a search of United States patents from any decade of the past two centuries will find patents held by Black Americans, by women, and by other inventors whose names and stories are largely unknown to the general public.

Their legal achievements are documented.