Patricia Bath
Reading time: 2 – 4 minutes
When Patricia Era Bath was born on November 4, 1942, she could have succumbed to the pressures and stresses associated with growing up in Harlem, New York. With the uncertainty present because of World War II and the challenges for members of Black communities in the 1940′s, one might little expect that a top flight scientist would emerge from their midst. Patricia Bath, however, saw only excitement and opportunity in her future, sentiments instilled by her parents. Her father, Rupert, was well-educated and an eclectic spirit. He was the first Black motorman for the New York City subway system, served as a merchant seaman, traveling abroad and wrote a newspaper column. Her mother Gladys, was the descendant of African slaves and Cherokee Native Americans. She worked as a housewife and domestic, saving money for her children’s education. Rupert was able to tell his daughter stories about his travels around the world, deepening her curiosity about people in other countries and their struggles. Her mother encouraged her to read constantly and broadened Patricia’s interest in science by buying her a chemistry set. With the direction and encouragement offered by her parents, Patricia quickly proved worthy of their efforts.
In 1981 she began work on her most well-known invention which she would call a “Laserphaco Probe.” The device employed a laser as well as two tubes, one for irrigation and one for aspiration (suction). The laser would be used to make a small incision in the eye and the laser energy would vaporize the cataracts within a couple of minutes. The damaged lens would then be flushed with liquids and then gently extracted by the suction tube. With the liquids still being washed into the eye, a new lens could be easily inserted. Additionally, this procedure could be used for initial cataract surgery and could eliminate much of the discomfort expected, while increasing the accuracy of the surgery. Unfortunately, though her concept was sound, she was unable to find any lasers within the United States that could be adapted for the procedure (the majority of laser technology in the United States was dedicated to military purposes). She was able to find the laser probe she needed in Berlin, Germany and successfully tested the device which she described as an “apparatus for ablating and removing cataract lenses” and later dubbed it the “Laserphaco Probe.” Bath sought patent protection for her device and received patents in several countries around the world. She intends to use the proceeds of her patent licenses to benefit the AIPB.
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She was very agressive about protecting her invention, which I don’t blame her. Why do all the hard work, put in the blood sweat and tears to have someone come along and steal your invention and make money off you.
I hadn’t thought about protecting your patent against over countries. Very smart move! You must have gotten that knowledge from her daddy.
Opps I meant “She” must have gotten that knowledge of foriegn affairs from her daddy.
It also shows how parents really shape their children lives. Parents have a duty to pay attention to their children interest(s) or simply give them a interest in something at a very young age that they can watch their child grow in and help their child/children cultivate that interest.
I’m sure she just learned how about patents from being in the industry. If she’s in R&D then she had to learn about this stuff so I can bet her Dad didn’t know anything about what she was doing.
Either way she is a interesting person who knew how to invent, capitalize and control her own talents. She didn’t sell her idea to anyone else and be happy to be part of someone else’s hustle. That’s the goal of the post!
wonderful bio….the sad part is i wish more ppl could read about stories like this and get inspired but most could care less. for instance i posted on my fb page how i think it’s a shame that the first black disney princess is going to have a hispanic prince instead of a black one. no one responds or cares. but if i post a jay z song everyone LIKES it….smh. sleeping beauty & snow white had white princes, even jasmine had aladdin but tiana the black princess gets jose??? smh
Sorry I know I’m off topic but I’m pissed
Don’t get too mad bcuz most people in this world like what’s popular so it’s not their fault. You have to remember most people don’t want to think seriously about anything that’s why they offer you so many channels for entertainment on Cable.
So recognize, realize and capitalize on this fact most people won’t change until it’s popular to do so. Remember when everyone used to wear those African medallions in the late 80′s, well that was the last time you had a popular conscious effort. The truth isn’t popular and the more you learn the more unpopular you’ll become!
lol….damn even jay z said “this be that ignorant shit u luv”
See most people look down and say he ain’t talking to me but realistically 85% of the people are ignorant. Even the ones with degrees don’t understand how to build something for themselves. The leaders keep telling Black folk to complain about the unemployment rate saying people aren’t hiring when LOGICALLY you would think I’d better start my own.
It’s like playing duck duck goose when you were in elementary it seems like fun but the teacher just Conned everyone into playing a game while she exercised control.
you’re sooooo right cuz i look at what is popular amongst my “friends” on fb n even my homies n real life and no one wants to think! it’s all about fashion, music, relationships and i’m like what about our KIDS!!! and i’m frustratated cuz even tho i know i’m doing a good job with my daughter, i really can’t compete if she has that inner longing to be “down” wit every1 else. if i say don’t smoke weed cuz it’s bad for u, she’s going to look at me and say that her friends do it so it can’t be that bad! or if i say get good grades cuz it’s what’s best for her future, she’ll think well i won’t be by myself cuz my friends grades are like mine. i know this because my father did a good job with me and even tho i avoided aLOT of the b.s. sum of it i just went along to get along, honestly. idk…
Don’t worry do what you know how to do and that is teach what your parents taught you because obviously it works. The same amount of Dancing Negroes have been here since the beginning of time and they will continue to be here.
Most of us are on some fashion, music, relationship kind of kick. I am pretty sure they are in that order too. There is no real reason to compete against or worry about it because it’s so prevalent that even those with a so called education still think about tricking. You just have to go along until its time for you to get off. You were able to get off of that track and so was I so all you have to do is teach your child at what age you expect adult decisions to be made.
Our problem is we stay in the teenage life for too long. What age did you think about putting rims on your car 15, so why do you still see 30 year old doing the same thing. When were you happy to have some new sneakers when you were 13 so why is there a culture of sneaker fashion after you cross 25. Why do people still smoke weed like they are getting away with it when they have been probably smoking for 20 years.
My advice is don’t worry about it bcuz they’ll trip up theirselves and you can hire them and give them a corner office.
Smile because you know better and that’s all you need!