William B. Purvis | |
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Born | |
Died | August 10, 1914 | (aged 75)
Known for | Inventions |
Parents |
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Relatives | James Forten (grandfather), Charlotte Vandine Forten (grandmother), Robert Purvis (uncle), Margaretta Forten (aunt), Harriet Forten Purvis (aunt) |
William B. Purvis (12 August 1838 – 10 August 1914)[1] was an African-American inventor and businessman who received multiple patents in the late 19th-century. His inventions included improvements on paper bags, an updated fountain pen design, improvement to the hand stamp, and a close-conduit electric railway system.