History

Carroll and Sandra Lamb founded The Institute of Black Invention & Technology, Inc. after viewing a similar museum from California in 1999 at a Black exposition in Philadelphia. Although both considered themselves knowledgeable about Black history, they soon realized they knew little about Black inventors.

The Lambs believed that more people, particularly Black children, needed to be exposed to the genius of Black inventors. They believed that through this exposure, Black children will broaden their career options to include the scientific and entrepreneurial fields. This exposure will help them appreciate that they have a richer history than is revealed in school text books.

The Lambs, therefore, decided to create their own traveling museum that would exhibit a collection of inventions; present lectures on the history of inventions by Blacks; present interactive programs to school-age children, and conduct workshops for pre-school educators on how to incorporate Black inventions into their curricula through play.

Their commitment was strengthened a year later when they were searching for information on Black inventors while on a trip to Washington, D.C. On that trip they visited the Smithsonian Institution and the Museum of Science and Technology.

At both museums the docents informed them they had nothing on Black inventors and recommended they go to the Anacostia Museum in the southeast section of the city. The Anacostia Museum is part of the Smithsonian and presents exhibits on the culture and heritage of Blacks. Like most museums, the Anacostia rotates its exhibits, so rather than seeing an exhibit on Black inventors, the Lambs saw an art exhibit.

Since then, the Lambs have been fulfilling their dream of creating a traveling museum that offers an ever expanding exhibit of inventions and programs.