Frederick mckinley jones personal life

Home / Scientists & Inventors / Frederick mckinley jones personal life

He was working as a full-time mechanic by age 14, and at 15 he began supervising the garage as mechanic foreman.

Jones’ knack for exploration and discovery continued to grow, and at 19, he was let go from the auto garage for sneaking off to the racetrack while he was on the clock. “Jones’ technological breakthrough redefined the global marketplace, with cultural reverberations felt from the world’s largest cities to its most isolated villages,” the hall wrote in his citation.

In 1991, then-President George H.W.

Bush awarded the National Medal of Technology posthumously to Jones and his partner Joseph A. Numero.

After the war, he returned to the Hallock farm and continued to educate himself in electronics.

Learn About Other Famous Black Inventors

What Did Frederick McKinley Jones Invent?

When Hallock, Minnesota, decided to fund a new radio station, Jones built the transmitter needed to broadcast its programming.

Frederick McKinley Jones: Innovator and Inventor

Frederick McKinley Jones, often hailed as the “King of Cool,” revolutionized the field of portable refrigeration. Unfortunately, his father passed away while Jones was under the priest’s care. He was so good that he became the foreman of the shop.

He later adapted the device to fit trains and aquatic vehicles, making him a pioneer in mobile refrigeration. When he was 9 years old, his mother passed away unexpectedly. Thermo King grew to be an international corporation, making over $1 billion in annual sales when it was bought out by Ingersoll-Rand Co. in 1997.

Over the course of his career, Jones earned over 60 patents for his many inventions.

He received more than 60 patents during his lifetime for inventing various refrigeration, sound, and automobile devices. He passed away in February 1961 at the age of 67, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field of invention and technology.

Early Life

Born on May 17, 1893, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Frederick McKinley Jones faced numerous hardships from a young age.

He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. His father struggled to raise him independently, so when Frederick was 7, he was sent to live with a priest in Kentucky for two years. Making fresh produce available anywhere in the country year-round, it improved Americans' eating habits.

Forming a partnership with Numero, Jones founded the U.S. Thermo Control Company, now known as Thermo King. He also taught classes for his fellow soldiers throughout the war, sharing his knowledge of electrical circuitry.

After the war, Jones took a job in Hallock, Minnesota, where he worked as the town’s movie projectionist.

When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.

The Genius of Frederick McKinley Jones: Kentucky’s African-American Inventor

The poster relates the life history of Frederick McKinley Jones, the first African-American given the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States.

He was 67.

Since his death, Jones has been recognized for his achievements in various ways.

Once saved, open the image file and use your device's print function to print it.

Used in trucks, railroad cars, ships and planes, the technology revolutionized the distribution of food and other perishables. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes.