America today

For everyone in America it is common to have a refrigerator in your home even a freezer. Restaurants have them as well and even hospitals. They even have car refrigerators. Well this is all thanks to an African American creator named Frederick McKinley Jones. Who exactly is Frederick Jones you may ask. Frederick McKinley Jones was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 17, 1893 to a white father and black mother. His mother deserted him when he was a young child. His father struggled to raise him on his own, but by the time Frederick was 7 years old, he was sent to live with a priest in Kentucky. Two years later, his father passed away. This living situation with the priest after his fathers passing lasted for only two years. At the age of 11, with minimal education under his belt, Jones ran away to fend for himself. Jones had a talent for and an interest in mechanics. He would read extensively on the subject in addition to his daily work, while also educating himself in his spare time. By the time he was twenty, Jones had secured an engineering license in the state of Minnesota. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army during World War I where he was often called upon to make repairs to machines and other equipment.“(biography.com)” Even though he had a life of little education he was still able to change the world with his inventions. History.com stated that, “He received a patent for his invention in 1940, and co-founded the U.S. Thermo Control Company, later known as Thermo King. The company was critical during World War II, helping to preserve blood, food and supplies during the war.” Many people do not know that such an important necessity for daily life was invented by this African American inventor. Blackpast.org stated,”During World War II, there was such a big need for a unit to store things such as blood serum for transfusions and many types of medications. This led Jones to further his research into refrigeration. For this, he created an air-conditioning unit for military field hospitals and a refrigerator for military field kitchens.  As a result, he was able to help save many lives. A modified form of his device is still in use today. Without this invention we wouldn’t be able to have weeks worth of food in our fridge or be able to save people on hand with blood at hospitals. The amazing part about this African American inventor is that the refrigerator is not the only thing he has invented. Frederick Jones has over 61 patents of inventions he’s created and black past.org says 40 of the patents are in refrigeration. Jones was a self-taught, African American engineer who pioneered the designs for mobile refrigeration. “A former race car driver and mechanic, Jones created the first mechanical refrigeration system for trucks in 1935. Some of Jones' other inventions were a portable x-ray machine, an air conditioning unit for military field hospitals, and a refrigerator for military field kitchens.”, Says Minnesota Historical society.  He has even invented a ticket dispenser, air conditioning, thermostat, starter generator and more. I would like to acknowledge this influential entrepreneur for he has invented things that changed the world completely and even saved many lives. With his inventions he is able to help people everyday. I admire him because not only was he black and white like me but he was also able to change the world with little education. He was able to keep going even though his mother left him at a young age and his father passed away. It inspires me to want to be like him to change the world in my own way any way I can. Without Frederick Jones society would not be what it is today and that can be said about all the black entrepreneurs, inventors, and creators.