On December 15, 1896, Julia Terry Hammonds, an African American inventor from Lebanon, Illinois, was granted U.S. Patent No. 572,985 for her “Apparatus for Holding Yarn-Skeins.” ?

This device was designed to provide a simple and cost-effective solution for winding yarns, silks, and similar materials. It featured two uprights with forked ends to hold the skein and a spring mechanism to secure the apparatus to a chair or other support. The design allowed for easy adjustment to accommodate various skein lengths and could be conveniently disassembled for storage. ?

Hammonds’ invention addressed a common challenge faced by individuals working with yarn, eliminating the need for an assistant to hold the skein while winding. Her contribution exemplifies the innovative spirit and practical problem-solving that have characterized many African American inventors throughout history.