Kenneth Carter III’s Post

Honoring Black Innovators and Leaders in Transportation I would like to introduce Frederick McKinley “Casey” Jones. Frederick patented the mechanical transport refrigeration unit, which made it possible for long haul trucks and railroad cars to transport fresh and frozen foods around the world. The Inspiration: Jones was inspired to develop this cooling device after a truck driver told him about losing a large shipment of food after the tractor-trailer’s storage compartment overheated during a long-distance trip. The How: Jones made his biggest impact as an inventor, however, through his technological breakthroughs for the improved refrigeration of temperature-sensitive food products being shipped over long distances. He joined entrepreneur Joseph A. “Joe” Numero to form the U.S. Thermo Control Company (later known as Thermo King Corporation) to create systems for ensuring the success of such deliveries. As part of these efforts during the 1940s, Jones developed a means for refrigerating the interior of a long-haul truck’s tractor-trailer and thereby preventing the spoilage of food transported in the vehicle. His final patent was for a thermostat and control system for controlled spaces; according to the specifications for that system, “the invention is concerned with vehicles in which perishable products are transported.” In the time since his death, Jones has continued to be honored for his significant and even life-saving contributions to the transportation of goods across the globe. He was inducted into the Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame in 1977. In 1991, Jones was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George H.W. Bush. Jones was the first African-American to receive this honor. #freight #experience #analytics #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #supplychainsolutions #logisticscompany #logistics #shippers #imports #everythingfreight #smallbusiness #environmentalsustainability #environmentallyfriendly #sustainability #oceanfreight #refrigerated #warehousing #drayage #intermodal #oceanfreight #blackhistory

Today's FreightWaves' transportation moment in Black History goes to father and son, Charles and Frederick Patterson! 💙 Charles Richard Patterson, born into slavery in 1833, founded C.R. Patterson & Sons, the only African American-owned and operated automobile company in the early 20th century. 🚗 By 1873, he co-founded his own company, which later became C.R. Patterson & Sons. With a diverse workforce, the company thrived under Charles' leadership, producing high-quality carriages and expanding its catalog to 28 models. 🙌 Upon Charles' death in 1910, his son Frederick Patterson took over. A college-educated pioneer, Frederick recognized the decline of horse-drawn transportation and shifted focus to automobiles. 🐴❌ In 1915, C.R. Patterson & Sons introduced the Patterson-Greenfield automobile, priced at $685. The company emphasized luxury, affordability, and quality in its advertising. 💰 Despite initial success, Patterson-Greenfield faced challenges. In an era dominated by large-scale production, the company struggled to compete with Detroit manufacturers. High labor costs and limited access to parts hindered scalability and profitability. Eventually, the company succumbed to these challenges, unable to sustain operations amidst the industrial shift. 😢 Though short-lived, C.R. Patterson & Sons holds significance in African American history as a pioneering effort in the automotive industry. Charles and Frederick Patterson's legacy highlights entrepreneurship, innovation, and perseverance in the face of systemic barriers. 💙 PLEASE SHARE TO SPREAD THE NEWS! 🙏 #blackhistorymonth #freightwaves #logistics #transportation #transportationindustry #supplychain

Honoring Black Innovators and Leaders in Transportation- Andrew Jackson Beard I would like to introduce Andrew Jackson Beard . Andrew Jackson Beard was a former slave, a farmer, carpenter, blacksmith, railroad worker, businessman and inventor of the first automatic coupler for railcars. The Inspiration: November 23, 1897 , A railroad worker would stand between the two railroad cars to guide the linking pieces into place and insert a metal pin that held the pieces together. Often, the heavy cars would crush the middleman before he could drop the pin into place. Beard himself had lost a leg in a car coupling accident. The How: Beard eliminated the need for a worker to stand dangerously between the two train cars by designing an improvement to the railroad car couplers. Beard's railroad car coupler improvement included two horizontal jaws, which automatically locked together upon joining. Beard's improved and safer to use invention was the first automatic coupler widely used in the United States and easily saved many lives and limbs. The patent was sold for $50,000 in 1897 (equivalent to $1.8 million in 2022). #freight #experience #analytics #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #supplychainsolutions #logisticscompany #logistics #shippers #imports #everythingfreight #smallbusiness #environmentalsustainability #environmentallyfriendly #sustainability #oceanfreight

Today, we celebrate American manufacturing and the opportunities it creates. Manufacturing is more than a job, it’s the backbone of our economy. The future? It’s Made in America. #PacMac #MFGDay #MadeInAmerica #ManufacturingTheFuture #ManufacturingMonth #WasteManagement

Honoring Black Innovators and Leaders in Transportation I would like to introduce Meredith C. Gourdine. Gourdine is best known for his invention of various electrostatic precipitator systems, including "Incineraid," which helps to remove smoke from burning buildings, and a method of removing fog from airport runways. Gourdine also invented the exhaust purification system for automobiles in 1967, now known as the Catalytic Converter. The Inspiration: For over thirty years, Meredith C. Gourdine was a pioneer researcher and inventor in the field of electrogasdynamics. The How: Gourdine was one of the first, and remains one of the most respected scientists in electrogasdynamics, which is the generation of energy from the motion of gas molecules that have been ionized (electrically charged) under high pressure. Gourdine's specialty was to invent very practical applications for this rather abstruse procedure. Gourdine was also granted patents for applications of electrogasdynamics to circuit breakers, acoustic imaging, air monitors, and coating systems, as well as the Focus Flow Heat Sink, which is used to cool computer chips. He earned over 30 U.S. patents throughout the course of his life. Gourdine also focused his efforts on heating and cooling systems based on the conversion and transfer of thermal energy, with patents granted from 1989 to 1996. In 1994, he was inducted into the Engineering and Science Hall of Fame. #freight #experience #analytics #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #supplychainsolutions #logisticscompany #logistics #shippers #imports #everythingfreight #smallbusiness #environmentalsustainability #environmentallyfriendly #sustainability #oceanfreight #refrigerated #warehousing #drayage #intermodal #oceanfreight #blackhistory

Such valuable insights shared by our CEO Jose L. Flores at the Mackinac Policy Conference, highlighting the importance of building bridges in business! Check out the full interview below ⬇

In honor of Black History Month, we want to highlight Frederick McKinley Jones – an inventor, entrepreneur and winner of the US National Medal of Technology. McKinley Jones was responsible for creating the first-ever truck refrigeration unit in 1938. The cooling units he designed were vital during World War II, as they allowed for food, medicine, and blood to be transported to army hospitals as well as open battlefields without perishing. His technology laid the foundation for all of the refrigerated trucks that travel thousands of miles across roads today. #copacking #contractpackaging #manufacturing #supplychainmanagement #packagingsolutions #foodandbeverageindustry #supplychain #petfoodindustry #foodsafety #SQF #foodandbeverage #foodandbeveragemanufacturing #packagingsolutions #packaging #innovation #strategicpartner #compliance #agility #kitting #fulfillment #blackhistory #frederickmckinleyjones

In 1996, I made the decision to study at Keele. I was acutely conscious that it wasn't a mainstream choice focusing on dual rather than single subject degrees. But it reflected a belief that has served me well; a broader knowledge of the world makes my specialist knowledge more useful. The choice of James Timpson as Chancellor of Keele in 2022 was another unconventional but inspired choice. I recall an interview he gave to the BBC where he reminded us success in business is about supporting people to be a success, rather than managing them. Listen to the interview here (https://lnkd.in/drfj83sB) or check out James' main points below. You won't go far wrong applying these. I try to live up to this every day at Insider Pro Ltd and help my team to do the same with each of our customers; 1. To get the best out of people, you need to show kindness to them 2. You have to understand the feelings & emotions of people to achieve financial results 3. To be a great boss, you need to know your people 4. A business is a community; support colleagues in everything 5. If they’re not happy in the job, help them to be happy somewhere else 6. It’s not all about growth and money; it’s about value, culture and giving back

Since 2016, thinkPARALLAX’s B Corp status has led us to drive systemic change. As an ode to B Corp Month last year, we thought it would be fun to share our B Corp journey, as well as the stories of fellow Southern California companies Boochcraft, Dr. Bronner's, and Gifts for Good®. You can read the article by clicking the link in the comments.

In honor of Black History Month, we want to highlight Frederick McKinley Jones – an inventor, entrepreneur and winner of the US National Medal of Technology. McKinley Jones was responsible for creating the first-ever truck refrigeration unit in 1938. The cooling units he designed were vital during World War II, as they allowed for food, medicine, and blood to be transported to army hospitals as well as open battlefields without perishing. His technology laid the foundation for all of the refrigerated trucks that travel thousands of miles across roads today. #copacking #contractpackaging #manufacturing #supplychainmanagement #packagingsolutions #foodandbeverageindustry #supplychain #petfoodindustry #foodsafety #SQF #foodandbeverage #foodandbeveragemanufacturing #packagingsolutions #packaging #innovation #strategicpartner #compliance #agility #kitting #fulfillment #blackhistory #frederickmckinleyjones