In 1864, a man named Thomas Jennings became the first African American to receive a patent for his innovative technique of cleaning and dry-cleaning clothes. He used this technique which was called ‘Dry Scouring’ to start his own successful dry-cleaning business in New York City.
One day, while Jennings was working in his store, a white customer came in and mistook him for a labourer. The customer handed Jennings his dirty clothes and asked him to take them to the back of the store and clean them.
Jennings, who was proud of his own successful business, decided to play a little joke on the customer. He took the man’s clothes, disappeared into the back of the store, and reappeared a few minutes later wearing the customer’s clothes.
The customer was shocked and outraged, but Jennings was unapologetic. He took the opportunity to educate the man about his own business and his patent for dry-cleaning.
The customer was so impressed with Jennings that he became a loyal customer and spread the word about his innovative dry-cleaning techniques. Jennings went on to become a successful entrepreneur and an important figure in the African-American community.
