🦷 Dr. George F. Grant was not only a dental innovator—he also changed the game (literally) for golfers. Grant became the second African American to graduate from Harvard Dental School and later joined the faculty, becoming Harvard’s first Black professor in any department. His expertise in cleft palate treatment made him a leader in reconstructive dental care. In his spare time, Grant was a passionate golfer. Tired of messy mounds of sand used to tee off, he invented the modern wooden golf tee, making the sport cleaner and more efficient. He patented the device in 1899. Did you know? Grant’s dental techniques were considered groundbreaking in the late 1800s. His golf tee was the first U.S. patent for this purpose, though it wasn’t widely manufactured during his lifetime. He often provided free dental care to the Black community in Boston. Whether treating smiles or innovating on the green, Dr. Grant left a lasting legacy. #GeorgeFranklinGrant #BlackInventors #DentalHistory #GolfInnovation #STEMLegends (fb)

#FlashbackFriday: From Shoelaces to Supercomputers Back in February, we brought our traveling exhibit to Brookside Charter School in Kansas City—sparking curiosity in students from pre-K to middle school and beyond. ✨ Co-Founder Sandra Lamb led storytelling sessions with our youngest learners, using real artifacts—including a shoe from the 1800s—to bring Jan Matzeliger’s brilliance to life. Students saw his photo, his invention, and how one Black innovator forever changed the shoe industry. The full exhibit, inspired by a quote from mathematician William Massey, celebrated the work of African American scientists at Bell Labs: “The 1970s, 80s, and 90s at Bell Labs were to Black scientists what the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s was to Black artists.” Through artifacts, panels, and hands-on storytelling, TIBIT helps students and families see themselves in the history of science, invention, and innovation. Thank you, Brookside, for being part of this ongoing legacy. 🤎 #BlackInventors #STEAMeducation #RepresentationMatters #BellLabs #JanMatzeliger #LegacyInLearning #TIBITMuseum #BrooksideCharter #FlashbackFriday #FlashbackFridayFun (fb)