The Father of Gospel Music

November 12, 2010

The Father of Gospel Music

Thomas A Dorsey was a blues pianist and he wrote over 400 compositions.  He was known as the “whispering piano player” because he had to play quietly enough not to draw the attention of the police. During the time he was a blues pianist he had two nervous breakdowns. It took 3 years for him to recover and when recovered he began to play church music, songs of faith.

Thomas A Dorsey invented gospel by combining blues and Negro spirituals together.  The music was not widely accepted. His first gospel song, “If You See My Savior Tell Him That You Saw Me” was published in 1932.

In 1932 he lost his wife and baby during childbirth. During his time of grief he wrote     the song “Take My Hand, Precious Lord”.  Thomas Dorsey created the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.

To learn more about Thomas Dorsey click on the links below or simple type the name Thomas Dorsey on your search engine.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-chicagodays-gospelmusic-story,0,4781287.story

http://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/people/thomas_dorsey

More to come from the Africanaprincess.

The Straightening Comb

Today is the day most African American women spend part of their day at the Beauty Shop getting their hair done. Some get a wash and set. Some may get a perm, twists, braids, or straightened.  Today I did  my own hair. First I did a wash and set.  Then after being outside on the soccer field my hair was wind blown and looking crazy so, I straightened my hair.  I know you saying girl, just go the shop and I say girl, I am saving myself some money honey! Yes, I straighten my hair. Girl, I have to admit, the hair looks good.  Madame C. J. Walker invented the straightening comb and hair softener.

Madame C. J. Walker's inventions indeed changed the life of African American Women. African American women no longer had to wear just braids, twists, or the afro. Now the hair could be straightened.  Even with the hair straight there is still a lot of bounce and body. So lovely.

In 1909 Madame C. J. Walker invented her hair softener and a special straightening comb. Instantaneously she was in business.  She trained people on how to use the products and allocated franchises.  Her annual payroll was over $200,000.  Madame C. J. Walker was the first female self made millionaire. This wonderful invention laid the foundation of the cosmetics industry for African American Woman.

Thank you Madame C. J. Walker for the straightening comb and the hair softener.

More to come from the Africana Princess.

Traffic Light

The automatic traffic light was one of the greatest inventions I know of that helps everyone 365 days a year and 24 hours a day.

Imagine a day in the 21st century without a Traffic light.  You are traveling down route 24 and you are coming to a 4 way intersection.  You are a mile away from the intersection and there are no cars in view.  You are  traveling at 55 mph and  have reached the intersection. You look to the right and there is a car crossing at the same time. Crash!!!!  Both cars are totaled and you and the other driver are off to the hospital with life threatening injuries.  Wow!  The invention of the Traffic Light  has helped prevent accidents like I just described.

Garrett A Morgan created the first automatic Traffic Light. Yes he is an African American Inventor. In 1923 he acquired a patent for his invention.

Garrett A Morgan also opened his own sewing equipment and repair shop in 1907. In 1909 he added a tailor shop in which he had several employees.  In 1920 Garrett Morgan established a newspaper business The Cleveland Call.  He even invented the  GAS MASK!!  Awesome, his invention saved lives.

To find out more click on the links.


More to come from the Africana Princess.