Patterson, Frederick Douglass

1871-1932 · Contribution: 1913-1918

Industrial & Mechanical

Engineered and built the Patterson-Greenfield automobile in 1915, making his family's company, C.R. Patterson & Sons, the first and to date only African American-owned and operated automobile manufacturer in U.S. history

Industrial & Mechanical: collage image
Industrial & Mechanical

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Quick facts

Born
1871-1932
Active since
1913-1918
Category
Industrial & Mechanical

Impact on the world

Patterson built and sold a Black-manufactured automobile in the age of Ford and GM, a singular achievement in the history of the American auto industry.

An alternative history

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Sources

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    Automotive Hall of Fame

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