Inventor Andrew Jackson Beard, born into slavery, patents an automatic railroad car coupler that spares workers from losing hands and lives.
At a Glance
- Date
- 23 November 1897
- Location
- Alabama
- Key people
- Andrew Jackson Beard
- Category
- Science, Medicine & Invention
- Source
- U.S. Patent No. 594,059 (1897) · U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
What It Meant Then
His 'Jenny Coupler' addressed one of the deadliest hazards in railroading.
What It Means Now
Beard is celebrated among the Black inventors who reshaped American industry.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Andrew Beard Patents the 'Jenny Coupler'.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/andrew-beard-patents-the-jenny-coupler/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Andrew Beard Patents the 'Jenny Coupler'. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/andrew-beard-patents-the-jenny-coupler/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Andrew Beard Patents the 'Jenny Coupler'.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/andrew-beard-patents-the-jenny-coupler/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.