One significant development in Black history related to medical patents is the invention of the shoe lasting machine by Jan E. Matzeliger. Matzeliger, who was born in Dutch Guiana (now Suriname) in 1852, moved to the United States and became an inventor and entrepreneur. In 1883, he patented the shoe lasting machine, which revolutionized the shoe manufacturing industry by automating the process of attaching the upper part of a shoe to the sole. This innovation greatly increased the efficiency of shoemaking and significantly reduced production costs.

Another notable example is the invention of the automatic medical syringe by Elijah McCoy. McCoy, who was born to former slaves in Canada in 1844, moved to the United States and became a prolific inventor. In 1899, he patented an improvement to the medical syringe, which allowed for more precise and consistent doses of medication to be administered. McCoy's invention had a significant impact on medical practices and helped improve patient care.

These examples highlight the important contributions of Black inventors to the field of medical technology and the healthcare industry. Their innovations not only advanced medical practices but also had a lasting impact on society as a whole.