Who Was Sarah E. Good?
Born into slavery in 1850, inventor and entrepreneur Sarah E. Goode went on to become one of the first African American women to be granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for her invention of a folding cabinet bed in 1885.
After receiving her freedom at the end of the Civil War, Goode moved to Chicago and eventually became an entrepreneur. Along with her husband Archibald, a carpenter, she owned a furniture store.
The Folding Cabinet Bed
Many of Goode’s customers lived in small apartments and didn’t have much space for furniture, including beds. As a solution, Goode invented a cabinet bed, which she described as a “folding bed,” similar to a modern day Murphy bed. When not in use, it could also serve as a roll-top desk, complete with compartments for stationery and writing supplies.
Goode received the patent for her invention on July 14, 1885.
Legacy
Goode died in 1905. She was one of the first African American women to receive a U.S. patent and served as an inspiration for future black inventors and entrepreneurs.
Though she lived a short life, her ingenious invention improved quality of life for people in cramped city apartments.
