Benjamin Banneker: Invented America's First Clock.

In the Stevie Wonder song "Black Man," the Motown marvel sings of Benjamin Banneker: "first clock to be made in America was created by a black man." The song touches on the genius of Benjamin Banneker and the many hats he wore - as a farmer, mathematician, astronomer, author and land surveyor.

Benjamin Banneker was the son of former slaves and was primarily self-taught. He received his early education from a Quaker school. He worked on his family's tobacco farm and at the age of 15 he took over the farm and invented an irrigation system to control the flow of water to the crops from nearby springs. As a result of his innovation, the farm flourished, even during droughts.

However, it was his clock invention that really propelled his reputation. Sometime in the early 1750s, Benjamin borrowed a pocket watch from a wealthy acquaintance, took the watch apart and studied its components. After returning the watch, he created a fully functioning clock entirely out of carved wooden pieces. The clock was amazingly precise, and would keep on ticking for decades. As the result of the attention his self-made clock received, Banneker was able to start up his own watch and clock repair business.

Banneker's accomplishments didn't end there.  He borrowed books on astronomy and mathematics from a friend and engorged himself in the subjects. Putting his newfound knowledge to use, Banneker accurately predicted a 1789 solar eclipse. In the early 1790s, Banneker added another job title to his resume - author. Wielding knowledge like a sword, Benjamin Banneker was many things - inventor, scientist, anti-slavery proponent - and, as a result, his legacy lives on to this day.