written by Shana Keller
In 1873, at the age of 21, Jan Ernst Matzeliger immigrated to America. He arrived with hopes and dreams for a bright future, but no one wanted to hire a Black immigrant who didn't speak English.
As Jan learned the process and craft of shoemaking, he envisioned a new machine—a lasting machine—that would produce more shoes more efficiently. People scoffed at Jan's idea, but Jan didn't give up. When his machine was finally put to the test, it would revolutionize the shoe industry forever. Here's a moving tribute to a little-known African American tinkerer who achieved the impossible against all opinions and odds .
