Meet The African-American Family Who Produced Automobile Cars In The Early 1900s
December 15, 2020 26361
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The advancement of Black people in the field of science and
technology has been hidden for centuries. The curriculums used in teaching in
African schools were manipulated and created in a way to make sure that the
African child, man/woman, does not learn about the technological greatness of
his/her ancestors, and even those present.
Before the advent of Automobiles (cars etc), many in the
modern world used horse carriages. By the 1700s, and 1800s, these horse-drawn
carriages came in all forms and designs. Many people do not know that a
formerly enslaved Black man, named Charles Richard Patterson, from Ohio, in
America manufactured horse-drawn carriages in the 1800s, and his son later
manufactured automobile cars in the early 1900s.
The technological ingenuity of the Paterson family would not
have been known if Charles Richard Patterson continued to be enslaved in the
South of America. The South was most brutal and repressive of enslaved
Africans.
Charles Richard Patterson was born on a plantation in
Virginia, in 1833. His parents were Charles and Nancy Patterson. Patterson made
adequate plans and escaped the Southern state of West Virginia, and reached
Ohio. This was before the Civil War. He crossed the Allegheny Mountains, hiked
across West Virginia, and then crossed the Ohio River, to finally arrive at
Greenfield, OH, which was a station on the Underground Railroad.
While he was at Greenfield, Patterson got a job at a
carriage company called Dines and Simpson Carriage and Coach Makers Company. He
later formed a company in partnership with J.P. Lowe. Their company was
renowned for its horse-drawn carriages which were expertly manufactured.
Patterson later bought out his partner and owned the company solely. He grew
the company into a highly successful one, which was named C.R. Patterson and
Sons Carriage Company.
C.R. Patterson and Sons Carriage Company began the
production of their Horse-drawn carriage in the 1860s and they perfected this
craft, becoming one of the best in the business in the 19th century. Charles
Richard Patterson continued to make an impact in American society with his
carriages till he passed away in 1910.
After his death, his eldest son, Frederick Douglass
Patterson took over the management of the business and the production of
their carriages.
Frederick Douglass Patterson noticed that there was an
increase in "funny-looking horseless" carriages on American roads. He
met with the company board and reported to them saying "In 1902 there
was one car to 65,000 people, and by 1909 there was one vehicle for every 800
people...I believe it's time for us to build a Patterson horseless
carriage."
The board agreed to his proposal and Frederick Douglass
Patterson launched a new vision for the company, and they expanded to the
production of automobiles.
On September 23, 1915, the company rolled
out their assembly line which was a two-door coupe.
The small size of the company, prevented them from building their automobiles in large quantities, to dominate the United States market. And because of this financial challenge, they were starved of adequate fame and exposure.
But even at the level which they operated, the company was able
to move unto the production of trucks and buses also. It was difficult for them
to compete in the market, and that led to the closure of the company's big
wooden doors and production in 1939.
Charles R. Patterson and his family were great contributors
to the vehicles and transportation industry. He was awarded patents to the following
devices: A trill coupling (#364,849) in 1887; a furniture caster (#452,940) in
1891; a vehicle dash (#803,356) in 1905. Clay Gordon patented a buggy top
(#983,992) that was assigned to C.R. Patterson & Sons Co. (a
co-partnership) in 1911 and Homer C. Reed patented a combination ladder that
was assigned to F.D. Patterson in 1910.
Conclusion
The achievements of men like Frederick Douglass Patterson,
and his father Charles Richard Patterson, are noteworthy in the study of Black
greatness and ingenuity.
The study of such achievements by Africans (and Black
people) round the world, is essential in the forming of a resilient charisma
and pride among Black people worldwide.
Great attention should be given to stories such as these by
the education ministries and boards in Africa, so as to imbibe in young
Africans the confidence to follow the legacies of their ancestors, who changed
the world, even in the harshest of environments and situations.
African schools, backed by the European curriculums have
always painted the Europeans as the inventors of everything good in the field
of science and technology. But we know that is false, and we are doing our best
to tell the hidden stories and achievements of the Black race.
Parents and elders should dig and find the great achievements of people of African descent around the world, and teach them to their children. This will go a long way in changing the narrative of how Africans look upon themselves.