Once again, it is Black History Month and once again, I am on the hunt for information on Sarah Boone. She is often confused with Sarah Goode who was the first African American woman to receive a patent.
Sarah Boone invented a device to help iron clothing. Ironing clothing was complicated in the 1800s and many people came up with ideas on ways to improve the process. Her invention was the predecessor to the modern ironing board. It was made of a narrow wooden board, with collapsible legs and a padded cover.
Sarah Boone's ironing board was designed to be effective in ironing the sleeves and bodies of ladies' garments. The board was very narrow and curved, the size and fit of a sleeve, and it was reversible, making it easy to iron both sides of a sleeve.
Her patent application says she was living near New Haven, Connecticut at the time.
Stay tuned for more information. If we can get it.