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Wow, it's fall y'all, and we are moving on into winter season like a flash. Did you know that the three-light traffic signal, automatic elevator door, gas furnace, clothes dryer, blood bank, laser treatment for cataracts, and home security systems were invented or improved by African American innovators? I'm sure you remember reading about famous inventors like Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and Henry Ford in school. But did you ever read about the inventions of Granville T. Woods, or Garret Morgan in school? Fortunately, these two innovators received recognition for their inventions. Unfortunately, many Black inventors who contributed to America's technology were omitted from history books. Following are a few of the many Black inventors whose contributions benefited our society. In 1884, Granville Woods developed a railroad telegraph that transmitted messages through static electricity between moving trains. He also created the "telegraphony" a device that allowed users to transmit voice or Morse code messages. His 50 patents earned him the nickname "the Black Edison." In 1969, George Carruthers perfected a powerful ultraviolet camera/spectrograph that accompanied the Apollo 16 mission to the moon. It provided high-quality images of the earth from the moon's surface which led to new theories about the birth of stars and influenced global efforts to control air pollution. Otis Boykin (1920-1982) invented a control unit for pacemakers that administered electric stimulation to regulate the heartbeat. In 1987, Dr. Shirley Jackson, a noted physicist, paved the way for caller I.D and the touch-tone phone. Garrett Morgan (1987-1963) invented the three-light traffic system in 1925. The two-light system only featured a red and green light, so Morgan filed a patent for a yellow "warning" light. In 1988, Patricia Bath, M.D., invented the laserphaco probe, a device and technique for cataract laser surgery. Dr. Charles Drew (1904-1950), a surgeon and medical researcher in the field of blood transfusion, blood storage, and mobile blood- donation stations that provided injured soldiers on the front line with lifesaving blood plasma. Many Black inventors struggled through hardship and poverty and still prevailed. Hope you didn't miss our Jazz Under the Stars program; it was great. Thanks to Howard Shelton and his team for a job well done. AACC's last event of the year is our Christmas Gala, which is Dec 9; watch for the flyers. Tickets are on sale now and they are going fast. For more info, contact W. Valentine, President, at (951) 544-1606. ~ Jacqueline White 46 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | NOVEMBER 2023 Last month's cooking demonstration was postponed to Oct. 12 and showcased Italian foods. It was a lot of fun and the dishes shared by our members were very good. The November meeting is scheduled at The Courts for Nov. 9 but the time is not available as of this writing. Barbara Dipoma will email all of our members confirming the time of the meeting. The Steering Committee is still planning the activities of that meeting and information will be in the email sent to all members. As we approach the holiday season we will be traveling, shopping, and spending time with our families and friends. Be safe during the holiday season and be part of many happy memories of the season. The Italian American Club is open to all residents of Four Seasons. You do not have to be Italian to join our group or to come to our meetings. We would love to have you come visit with us. To all our members and everyone at Four Seasons, we hope we will see you at one of our meetings soon. The Steering Committee wishes everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Non Vedo L Ori Di Vederti Presto (Looking forward to seeing you soon). ~ Barbara Dipoma, (805) 377-2616, and Jerry Monahan, (951) 212-8898 Italian American Club African American Cultural Club