This is a paperbound reprint of a 2004 publication. Former U.S. patent examiner Sluby has released this study which focuses on the inventive spirit of African-Americans, recognizing worthwhile contributions from the likes of George Washington Carver and Madam C. J. Walker. Beginning with ideas brought from Africa by the earliest enslaved individuals, the author discusses how African- American are responsible for such inventions as home-security systems and portable heart monitors, and concludes with a discussion of technical inventions in the computer sciences. Plenty of original diagrams are included in this book, which is aimed at students of African-American studies and history buffs. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)