On This Day

African American inventor Thomas Elkins patents the Refrigerating Apparatus [1]

Thomas Elkins (1818 - 1819 February - August 10, 1900) was an African-American dentist, abolitionist, surgeon, pharmacist, and inventor.

Thomas Elkins (1818 - 1819 February - August 10, 1900) was an African-American dentist, abolitionist, surgeon, pharmacist, and inventor. He lived in Albany, New York, for most of his life, but travelled during his service as the medical examiner of the 54th and 55th Massachusetts infantries and visited Liberia. Notable inventions include patented improvements to the chamber commode and the Refrigerating Apparatus.

Historical Significance

Thomas Elkins (1818 - 1819 February - August 10, 1900) was an African-American dentist, abolitionist, surgeon, pharmacist, and inventor.

Key People

Thomas Elkins

African-American dentist, abolitionist, surgeon, pharmacist and inventor

African-American dentist, abolitionist, surgeon, pharmacist and inventor

Events Before

  1. First US bicycle club, the Boston Bicycle Club, forms

    The Capital Bicycle Club was an early American cycling club based in Washington, D.C.

  2. Thomas Edison is granted a patent for his cylinder phonograph [1]

    A phonograph, later called a gramophone, and since the 1940s a record player, or more recently a turntable, is a device for the mechanical and analogue reproduction of sound.

  3. 53rd UK Prime Minister Archibald Primrose (31) weds heiress Hannah de Rothschild (27) at the Board of Guardians in Mount

    53rd UK Prime Minister Archibald Primrose (31) weds heiress Hannah de Rothschild (27) at the Board of Guardians in Mount Street, London

  4. W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's comic opera "H.M.S. Pinafore" premieres in London, their first international success

    H.M.S. Pinafore; or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by W. S. Gilbert.

  5. Congress of Berlin begins, determines the territories of the states in the Balkan peninsula following the Russo-Turkish

    Congress of Berlin begins, determines the territories of the states in the Balkan peninsula following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78

Events After

  1. Philosopher John Muir (41) weds Louisa Strentzel

    Philosopher John Muir (41) weds Louisa Strentzel

  2. Worcester Ruby Legs pitcher Lee Richmond throws the first perfect game in MLB history in a 1-0 win over the Cleveland Bl

    Worcester Ruby Legs pitcher Lee Richmond throws the first perfect game in MLB history in a 1-0 win over the Cleveland Blues at the Agricultural County Fair Grounds in Worcester

  3. First performance of "O Canada," the song that would become the national anthem of Canada, at the Congrès national des C

    First performance of "O Canada," the song that would become the national anthem of Canada, at the Congrès national des Canadiens-Français

  4. First Test cricket game in England begins with W. G. Grace scoring 152 on debut against Australia at The Oval

    First Test cricket game in England begins with W. G. Grace scoring 152 on debut against Australia at The Oval

  5. Theodore Roosevelt, later 26th US President marries Alice Hathaway Lee, on his 22nd birthday

    Theodore Roosevelt, later 26th US President marries Alice Hathaway Lee, on his 22nd birthday

More from the 1870s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 4, 1879?
Thomas Elkins (1818 - 1819 February - August 10, 1900) was an African-American dentist, abolitionist, surgeon, pharmacist, and inventor. He lived in Albany, New York, for most of his life, but travelled during his service as the medical examiner of the 54th and 55th Massachusetts infantries and visited Liberia. Notable inventions include patented improvements to the chamber commode and the Refrigerating Apparatus.
Why is African American inventor Thomas Elkins patents the Refrigerating Apparatus [1] significant?
Thomas Elkins (1818 - 1819 February - August 10, 1900) was an African-American dentist, abolitionist, surgeon, pharmacist, and inventor.
Who was involved in African American inventor Thomas Elkins patents the Refrigerating Apparatus [1]?
Key figures include Thomas Elkins (African-American dentist, abolitionist, surgeon, pharmacist and inventor).

Explore More