Born in 1892, in Cincinnati, Ohio. FREDERICK M. JONES
In 1910 I served in World War 1, over in France. I returned in 1912 from the war and received a job from Joseph Numero. Most of my skill I had to learn on my own with he electronic devices. Although I did have some god given talent. Working in Numero's shop also helped me to learn more and more through experience. In 1913 I invented a sound system for theaters. I did not have this invention patented.
When I returned from the war I did not return home, to Ohio. I moved to Minneapolis. In the 1920's I started to get some ideas for a design on a series of devices for the movie industry. On June 27,1939 I patented a ticket dispensing machine for movie theaters. It gave costumers there ticket and change.
One hot summer night in the year 1927 I met a very upset truck driver. He had just delivered a shipment of dead chickens. The trip took so long that the chickens spoiled. The storage compartment had overheated. This night and this truck driver inspired me to create my refrigeration device for trucks.
This device was patented on December 14, 1943. This device hung from the roof of the truck in the storage compartment. It kept food cold or warm for haul trucks. This device affected the way Americans eat today! With out this device Americans would not be able to eat summer fruits during the winter.... or Alaskans would not be able to Oranges grown in Florida. Eventually I got tired of my same old device. I continued to add things on to it! And make better ones! I made a variety of refrigeration devices. I got a total of 4 patents on the refrigerator device.
In the year 1950 Numero and I founded a company to market our products. This company was named "Thermo King.
" This business (or company) is still a very popular, thriving business today!!
The refrigeration device was not my only invention in my life. I also came out with the two cycle engine in the year 1945, May 29 to be exact. I also came out with the idea, and plan for the air conditioner I did not patent this idea! On June 12, 1949 I also patented a starter generator. Out of all my 60 inventions that were patented the refrigeration device was the best.
For this invention I received many awards! It was very exciting for me! Considering I was an African-American inventor. I was the first black inventor to be a member of the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers. I was an inductee to the Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame in 1977.
Some people didn't like the idea of a black man doing so well, while others called me a genius!! Those who looked down on me, still used my products!! People today use my products.
Mike,
Pyramidwarrior
Posted By: Linda Banks
Tuesday, February 3rd 2009 at 9:08AM
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