By Tamara Shiloh

George Cook was a Black American inventor from Louisville, Kentucky. He was born in 1863, during a time when Black Americans faced unfair laws, limited opportunities, and many barriers to education, jobs, and recognition. Even with these challenges, he became known for his intelligence, honesty, and ability to think in practical ways. Some records say he worked as a cook for Buffalo Bill Cody and later as a chef on a private dining car for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. He was even known by the nickname “Honest Mister Cook.”

As with many Black American inventors and scientists of that era, there is little biographical information about Mr. Cook.

Cook’s most famous invention was the Automatic Fishing Device. He received U.S. Patent No. 625,829 for it on May 30, 1899. His patent shows that he was not just someone with an idea, but someone who made it happen.

So, what did the Automatic Fishing Device do? Imagine fishing with a line in the water. Usually, you have to watch carefully and pull the line at just the right moment when a fish bites. Cook wanted to make that process easier. His device was designed to react when a fish pulled on the line. The tension from the fish would trigger a lever. That lever would release a spring-loaded part of the device, causing it to move quickly and help pull in the line. The device also had an alarm gong that would ring to let the fisher know something was happening.

Trending

#LIVE LET IT BE KNOWN w/STACY BROWN MONDAY DECEMBER 20, 2021 7:30AM ET

This invention was important because it used simple mechanical ideas in a clever way. Springs, levers, rails, and alarms were not new by themselves, but Cook combined them to solve a real problem. His device showed how inventors often take familiar parts and arrange them in a new way to make life easier. 

Cook looked at fishing and asked, “How can this be improved?” Then, he created a device that could respond automatically when a fish tugged on the line. His invention let fishermen relax instead of watching the line for hours, trusting the alarm to alert them.

Cook may not be as famous as some inventors, but his Automatic Fishing Device shows that creativity and innovation can be applied anywhere. His legacy lives on as part of the larger story of Black innovation in America.

bpusa-syndication

Posts by bpusa-syndication

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $109.6 million in Proposition 1 funding to create 278 permanent supportive homes in Bakersfield, Contra Costa County, Sacramento and Fresno, including 103 homes reserved for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The funding, awarded through California’s Homekey+ program, is intended to expand permanent supportive housing and behavioral health services for veterans and other Californians experiencing or at risk of homelessness. State officials said the investment advances Proposition 1, the voter-approved measure aimed at increasing housing, treatment and support services for people with behavioral health needs.

“Every Californian deserves a safe place to call home, particularly the veterans who bravely served our country,” said Newsom in a statement on July 23. “California voters approved Proposition 1 because they know we must do more to address homelessness and behavioral health challenges.”

The largest award, nearly $32.6 million, will help the City of Fresno and Parkway Prime LLC convert an interim housing project into 84 permanent supportive homes at Parkway Terrace, including nine units reserved for veterans. The City of Sacramento and Urban Capital LLC will receive nearly $31.9 million to develop the Rio Linda Senior Housing Project, which will include 100 homes, 49 of them reserved for veterans.

Contra Costa County and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates will receive $28.8 million to develop an 82-unit senior housing community, with 62 units designated for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have behavioral health challenges, including 30 units for veterans. In Bakersfield, Community Action Partnership of Kern will receive nearly $14.1 million to convert a 38-room motel into 30 permanent supportive homes, with 15 units reserved for veterans.

State officials also announced an additional $2.3 million for three previously awarded Homekey+ projects in Olivehurst, Sanger and Stockton, primarily to support operating costs and increase veteran housing.

Since its launch, Homekey+ has awarded $968.4 million to 54 permanent supportive housing projects expected to create 2,749 affordable homes statewide, including 723 homes reserved for veterans. Officials said Proposition 1 is expected to expand California’s behavioral health system by funding additional supportive housing, treatment facilities and services for people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges.

bpusa-syndication

Posts by bpusa-syndication

By Post Staff

In a speech to an audience of local residents and community leaders, Port Commissioner and Maritime Attorney Derrick Muhammad delivered a presentation recently to answer a question that might seem simple on its surface but one that has many aspects that are crucial for the future of the East Bay. “What does it mean for the City of Oakland to be a port city?”

Summing up the theme of his talk on Saturday, July 25, at Youth Uprising in East Oakland, Mr. Muhammad said, “Rather than advocating a particular policy, the presentation sought to increase public understanding of one of Oakland’s most important public assets by connecting the city’s history, labor movement, transportation network, and global economy into a single narrative.” 

In attendance were many East Bay residents and community leaders, including retired third-generation longshoreman and prominent Black labor leader Clarence Thomas, civil rights attorney and former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, Secretary-Treasurer of Alameda Labor Council Keith Brown, Isaac Kos-Read of Kos-Read Group, president of the National Council of Negro Women, and Alameda County Aisha Williams.

Quiana Canada, C.O.O. of Youth UpRising, said she was excited to learn

about the pathways and workforce development opportunities for our youth.  This weekend provided a wonderful introduction to the history and impact of being a Port City.  We thank all of the organizers and sponsors for their ongoing commitment to the future of our youth.”  

Commissioner Muhammad explored the evolution of Oakland as a Port City,

how rail, the waterfront, and wartime expansion were catalysts for the growth of West Oakland, both locally and for the development of containerization and global trade.

He also examined the Port of Oakland’s role as an economic engine and its contributions to creating career pathways into the maritime economy, developing small-business opportunities connected to the waterfront, advancing environmental stewardship and modernization, and shaping potential futures for the port.

He also emphasized that the Port is much more than ships and cranes that the public can see as it passes by on the highway. It is a major economic engine that provides a gateway to middle-class careers, international trade, a public asset, and an important part of Oakland’s historic identity.

The presentation concluded with a question-and-answer session that addressed topics including contracting, automation, workforce development, international trade, environmental sustainability, and maritime careers.

Looking ahead, this presentation was intended to become part of an ongoing community education initiative designed to increase public understanding of the maritime economy and encourage broader civic engagement around Oakland’s waterfront.

Future presentations are expected to expand on additional topics related to transportation, logistics, labor history, international trade, and economic opportunity.

bpusa-syndication

Posts by bpusa-syndication