A Black inventor seeking investment for a new product was almost certainly going to find less capital available than a comparable white inventor.

The third barrier was professional networks.

Business in the mid-twentieth century — like business at most times — operated through personal relationships.

Knowing the right people, being known to the right people, moving through the professional networks in which manufacturing decisions, distribution deals, and licensing agreements were made: these were essential to commercializing an invention.

And these networks were racially segregated.

Mary Kenner’s experience with the company that rejected her after discovering her race illustrates this barrier with particular clarity.

She had successfully attracted the interest of a manufacturing company — she had managed to penetrate the professional network far enough to have a conversation about licensing her invention.