Black History

The Inventive Genius of William B. Purvis: Transforming Industries and Daily Life

While the pages of history often spotlight well-known inventors, there are unsung heroes whose contributions have profoundly impacted our world. One such person is William B. Purvis, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a wealthy and influential family, one of the eight children of Joseph Purvis, a farmer, and Sarah Louisa Forten Purvis, a noted poet.

Published

6 months ago

November 3, 2023

Oakland Post

William B. Purvis was most widely known for his improvements to the fountain pen. Facebook photo.

By Tamara Shiloh

While the pages of history often spotlight well-known inventors, there are unsung heroes whose contributions have profoundly impacted our world.

One such person is William B. Purvis, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a wealthy and influential family, one of the eight children of Joseph Purvis, a farmer, and Sarah Louisa Forten Purvis, a noted poet.

William’s maternal grandfather was African American sailmaker, merchant, philanthropist, inventor, civil rights agitator, and abolitionist James Forten. Born in 1838, William Purvis lived with his family on his father’s farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, until his father’s death in 1857 and the family moved to Philadelphia, where they lived with relatives.

Mostly self-taught, Purvis’ inventive career began in the packaging industry with his groundbreaking improvements to paper bags.

In 1883, he patented an innovative design for a machine that could produce paper bags with flat bottoms, which was a vast improvement over the traditional flat and cumbersome paper sacks.

His invention laid the foundation for the modern shopping bags we use today, with their capacity to stand upright and carry groceries and goods securely.

He was not content with revolutionizing just one industry. In 1890, he patented an innovative modification to the fountain pen, enhancing its functionality and efficiency.

His design addressed the issue of ink leakage, making fountain pens more reliable and convenient for everyday use. The improved fountain pen design made writing a smoother and more enjoyable experience, and it laid the groundwork for subsequent developments in pen technology.

In 1892, Purvis turned his inventive mind toward the world of office equipment. He patented an improved hand stamp that featured a unique ink-distribution mechanism.

This design ensured consistent and uniform ink distribution, preventing blotting and smudging. His hand stamp design found widespread application in businesses, government offices, and postal services, streamlining administrative processes and reducing errors.

Purvis’s creative genius wasn’t confined to everyday items; he also made a significant impact on public transportation.

In 1893, he patented a close-conduit electric railway system, a pioneering technology that transformed urban transportation. This system consisted of electric railways powered through underground conduits, eliminating the need for unsightly overhead wires.

Purvis’ invention made urban transportation more efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally friendly.

William Purvis never married. He spent his golden years with his sister Annie. He died on Aug. 10, 1914, in Philadelphia.

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Oakland Post: Week of May 8 – 14, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 8 – 14, 2024

Published

5 days ago

May 10, 2024

Oakland Post

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S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

1 week ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.