Sarah Boone

Sarah Boone was an African American inventor. She was born in Craven County, North Carolina, in 1832. She improved the design of the ironing board to make it easier to iron clothes. She was one of the first African American women to receive a U.S. patent.

Early Life

Boone was born into a time when most African Americans were enslaved. She worked as a dressmaker. She knew how difficult it was to iron curved parts of clothing like sleeves. She set out to improve the ironing board to make the job easier.

The Improved Ironing Board

In 1892, Boone received a patent for her improved ironing board. Her design was narrower and curved, making it easier to iron sleeves and other fitted parts of clothing. The board could also be folded for easy storage. Her design influenced the ironing boards we still use today.

Fun Facts

• Sarah Boone received her patent in 1892.
• She was one of the first African American women to hold a U.S. patent.
• Her design made it much easier to iron sleeves and pant legs.

Did You Know?

Sarah Boone's ironing board design was so practical that it became the basis for the ironing boards still used in homes today, over 130 years later.