The Black automotive pioneers who helped reshape the automotive world

They may not be household names, but these six Black inventors and entrepreneurs revolutionized the automotive industry and should be recognized for their efforts. From becoming the first Black American to own a “Big Three” dealership, inventing the fundamental structure of an automatic transmission, creating the traffic light, designing an iconic Bronco, breaking the boundaries of NASCAR or being the first and only Black automaker. These were pioneers whose names will be forever engraved into the history of the automotive industry.

McKinley Thompson, Jr.

Thompson was hired as Ford's first Black designer in 1956, after earning his degree in transportation design at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. While Thompson was not the designer of record for Ford's game-changing 4x4 Bronco, he penned early sketches that are now instantly recognizable as inspiration for the final product. He also contributed to the design of the Ford Mustang and GT40 race car. McKinley's role in the original Bronco's design was relatively unknown until Ford archivists began to dig for materials as part of the nameplate's revival. The discovery of those early Bronco sketches led Ted Ryan, Ford's chief archivist and heritage brand manager, to make the connection.

Source: The Ford Bronco's legacy inspires a new generation of diverse designers

Edward Davis

According to the Automotive Hall of Fame, Davis is the oldest of 10 and grew up in Louisiana. His love for cars began at a very young age when he would submerge himself into studying every inch of his father's Ford Model T. As he got older, his love of cars took a step back as he began to seek employment, but due to lack of opportunities for minorities Davis had to seek outside his home town of Shreveport, Louisiana. After his mother’s passing, Davis convinced his father to move with his aunt in Detroit, and in 1929 he ventured off for better opportunities.

After graduating from Cass Technical High School to become an accountant, Davis found himself again struggling to find employment. During this time, Davis opened and operated his own service garage using his knowledge and love of cars. A Dodge plant supervisor was a regular customer of his and offered Davis a job working at the Dodge Hamtramck assembly facility, and in 1936 the Dodge supervisor's son would open a Dodge dealership where Davis ended up being a dealership sales leader.

Davis then ventured off in 1938 and began Davis Motor Sales, where his business caught the eye of the Studebaker Corporation and was awarded a Studebaker dealership selling 50 Studebakers a month. But Edward Davis' success was short-lived as Studebaker filed for bankruptcy and Davis began the long journey of acquiring a franchise from the “Big Three” (GM, Ford, Chrysler) but was denied due to the color of his skin. In 1963, after nearly seven years of trying to acquire a "Big 3" franchise, Davis was awarded a Chrysler-Plymouth franchise located in Detroit. He was the first Black American to own a new car dealership, and in 1996 Davis would be the first Black American to be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Source: Automotive Hall of Fame

Wendell Oliver Scott

Wendell Oliver Scott was the first Black American full-time competitor in NASCAR history. During the period of the Civil Rights Movement, Wendell Scott loved nothing more than to grab the steering wheel and go as fast as he could on the race track. According to ESPN’s film on the driver, the Dixie Circuit was financially struggling and couldn’t fill its seats at the track, and as a promotional design, they began looking for a Black person to compete in their races. Due to Wendell’s history of speeding tickets, he was asked to participate in the events, where he dazzled the crowd with his stunning maneuvers on the track.