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Newsletter - March 29, 2022

Largely self-taught, Frederick McKinley Jones was a prolific early 20th century Black inventor who helped revolutionize both the cinema and refrigeration industries. He is best known for inventing the first automatic refrigeration system for trucks.

Jones was born on May 17, 1893 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He began working as a mechanic’s helper at age 16 and through observation and reading, developed an incredible base of knowledge about automobiles and their inner workings.  By nineteen, he had built and driven several cars in racing exhibitions and soon became one of the most well known racers in the Great Lakes region.

Jones was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War I, serving in France as an electrician. He rewired his camp for electricity, telephone, and telegraph service.  After discharge, he continued his study of electronics, building a transmitter for a local radio station. To make ends meet, Jones often aided local doctors by driving them around for house calls during the winter season but as navigation through the snow proved difficult, Jones attached skis to the undercarriage of an old airplane body and an airplane propeller to a motor.  He was soon whisking doctors around town at high speeds in his new “snow machine.”

Over the next few years he would invent more and more innovative machines: a portable x-ray machine, personal radio sets, and as an electrical engineer for Ultraphone Sound Systems, he converted silent-movie projectors into talking projectors by using scrap metal for parts. He also devised ways to stabilize and improve the picture quality.

In 1939, Jones invented and received a patent for an automatic ticket-dispensing machine to be used at movie theaters -- later selling the patent rights to RCA.

Jones' partnership, The U.S. Thermo Control Company, was the first automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks and railroad cars. Thermo King, as it became known, allowed the transportation of perishable products. He modified the original design to outfit trains, boats, and ships. Thermo King transformed the shipping and grocery businesses: Grocery chains were now able to import and export products previously  shipped only as canned goods. The frozen food industry was born and for the first time consumers could enjoy fresh foods from around the globe. Thermo King  became a multimillion-dollar company.

During World War II, the need for storing blood serum for transfusions and medicines led Jones into further refrigeration research. He devised an air-conditioning unit for military field hospitals and a refrigerator for military field kitchens. A modified form of his device is still in use today.

Jones became the first African American to be elected into the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers. During the 50’s, he was a consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Bureau of Standards.

At the time of his death in 1961, Jones had more than sixty patents.  In honor of his tremendous achievements as an inventor, he was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Technology – the first black inventor to ever receive such an honor

Sources:  AARegistry.org; Blackpast.org; Stlamerican.com; Wikipedia.org

Sound Transit Community Oversight Panel Seeks Volunteers

Sound Transit is looking for volunteers to serve on its Community Oversight Panel (formerly the Citizen Oversight Panel) representing Pierce County, North King County, East King County, South King County, Snohomish County, 

The Community Oversight Panel (formerly the Citizen Oversight Panel) was created in 1997 to independently monitor Sound Transit and make sure it meets its commitments to build and operate a regional bus, light rail and commuter rail transit system. 

Sound Transit actively seeks to include persons from diverse backgrounds and professions to support agency oversight, planning and operations. Submit an application online, or send a completed application and a resume, CV, or list of experience to Kent Keel, Sound Transit Board Chair, at Emailtheboard@soundtransit.org or via mail at 401 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104-2826. 

Conference of Minority Transportation Officials Scholarship Award Program

The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Washington State welcomes applications for the second iteration of academic scholarship awards for 2021-2022.  Please submit completed applications are by 5 p.m. Monday April 11^th, 2022.

For details and application information please visit: www.comtowashington.org/programs/scholarship.html

COMTO WS will award up to 18 scholarships totaling $38,000 to students who express an interest in pursuing college studies in a transportation-related field. The scholarship award is for use for tuition with disbursement is directly to the college, university or vocational institution. For any questions, please email scholarship@comtowashington.org for more details. 

The Negro Motorist Green Book Exhibition

The land was divided by segregation—through policy or through custom and  for Black citizens The Green Book served as an indispensable resource when traveling. If you were Black, it took bravery and a Green Book to cross the country safely. 

The Washington State History Museum (WSHM) in Tacoma presents the multimedia exhibition The Negro Motorist Green Book, on view from March 19 through June 12, 2022. This exhibition was developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES).  More information about the exhibit and other special Green Book events, go to https://www.washingtonhistory.org/exhibit/the-green-book/

CAREER INFORMATION

Featured here are a few of the organizations seeking applicants. Other job opportunities are listed at www.careers.wa.gov or www.caa.wa.gov/employmentopportunities

• The City of Seattle seeks an Urban Forestry Policy Advisor and a Housing Program Eligibility Specialist to work with a diverse population of homeowners and tenants to answer questions about the program, energy efficiency upgrades, and the construction process. 

• The Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO) has an opening for a Housing Program Manager in the Tenant Based Assistance department. See HASCO.org for this and other openings
• Washington State Attorney General's Office recruitments: Opportunities state-wide. View at https://www.atg.wa.gov
• Pierce County's Internship Program provides full-time, paid positions for the summer. Positions are now open for the County Council, District Court, Juvenile Court, Communications, Emergency Management, Human Services and more! See the list of internships here.
• The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is recruiting for an Executive Director. Application review begins April 19, 2022. This position is an excellent opportunity for an exceptional candidate to provide strategic and inspirational leadership as well as overall operational management of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The Executive Director creates and maintains an expectation that the principles of equity and environmental justice are understood and incorporated in the work of the team.
• Washington State Department of Enterprise Services is hiring  a Fiscal Analyst 2 - Accounts Receivable.  
• Spokane International Airport is hiring! Current job openings and how to apply

Accurate Personnel's Grand Opening in Lacey, WA - Friday, April 8, 2022. Bring your resume and register today! Space is limited, so RSVP today to reserve your place on the guest list.