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Minnesota Inventor Frederick McKinley Jones Subject of December History Lounge

Explore the complex life and mind of Minnesota inventor Frederick McKinley Jones, a self-taught African-American engineer who tirelessly pursued innovations that would improve the lives of others. A former race car driver and mechanic, Jones pioneered new technology in areas ranging from communication and medical imaging to mobile refrigeration, eventually receiving 61 patents in his name.

Join Society historian and educator Dwight Scott as he discusses how Jones overcame racial prejudice and his own demons to become one of the most accomplished inventors of the 20th century.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the History Center exhibit "MN150" before the lecture, to learn more about Jones and his accomplishments. They can also explore the new exhibit "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World" to learn about the legacy of innovations left by one of our nation's founding fathers.

The Society’s calendar of events is posted on the Internet at events.mnhs.org/calendar. The web site also has information about all of the Society’s programs, museums and historic sites. To request a free guide to museums and historic sites, call 1-800-657-3773.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849 to preserve and share Minnesota history. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing.

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