Philip B. Downing

Philip B. Downing (1857-1934) was an African American inventor from Providence, Rhode Island. He best known for his two most significant inventions, the street letter box, and operating street railway switches. Philip had a long career in Boston, Massachusetts as a postal clerk. Retiring in 1927 after working for more than thirty years. In the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, at least five patents were filed by Philip with the United States Patent Office. The most significant and recognized inventions of his were the street letter box, and the operating street railway switches. Shortly after 1880 when Philip met and married Evangeline Howard, he had two children. Antonia Downing, and Philip Downing Jr. Around this time the census records indicated that Philip had moved to Boston, Massachusetts.

letter box
Philip Bell Downing
BornMarch 22, 1857
Providence, Rhode Island
DiedJune 8, 1934
Boston, Massachusetts
NationalityAfrican American
OccupationInventor
Years active77
Known forInventing the street letter box, and operating street railway switches.


References

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    [2] [3] [4]


    1. "Philip B. Downing (1857-1934) •". 31 October 2017.
    2. "Philip Downing invented the modern-day letterbox". 2 March 2020.
    3. "Philip Bell Downing". 16 October 2019.
    4. "Little Known Black History Fact: Phillip Downing". 29 October 2019.
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