Anna M Mangin invented the pastry fork

If Anna M Mangin's name and photo are foreign to you then I am very happy to introduce this innovative young woman to you. She invented the pastry fork and the pastry fork spatula in 1891, and they continue to be widely utilized today. (The actual first spatula was invented one year earlier by John Spaduala, in 1890.) When it comes to Black History, I am different from most and search for the unsung heroes. When my children were in school, I advised them to not write about Dr. King and Rosa Parks whose works are already well known.

I told them that African American History continues to be made suggested they write essays on little known, more recent contributors and enlighten the world. Alas, most people do not desire to be enlightened and enjoy the familiar. I have shared this story before but I believe it bears repeating. One year my youngest son wrote an essay on Lonnie Johnson who invented Super Soaker. I thought his being original would be appreciated and he would win the award but a paper on Dr. King got the top prize as usual. This is why I enjoy writing for Vocal because they give opportunities to write on a vast amount of subjects.

Vocal challenges encourage, and challenge me to research and educate myself as I am bringing forth news for the readers. This is why my subjects for this challenge have been unsung black female inovators of the past. The following is an excerpt from Anna M Mangin's actual patent application that was published by Bridget Boakye in Women's History Month.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANNA M. MANGIN, of Woodside, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pastry-Forks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in pastry-forks.

The object of my invention is to provide-a fork or implement for working together butter or lard and flour without the operator having to touch these articles with the hands, and for making drawn butter and thickening, beating eggs, mashing potatoes, and preparing dressing for salads.

I was impressed at Mangin's ability to give the world a simple yet handy invention that ended up in most kitchens. It is believed, but not documented that Anna Mangin was born in October of 1854 in Louisiana. Records from a 1900 census indicated that she was married to a coal dealer by the name of A.F. Mangin. The couple had two sons, only one of which was still living at the time. Anna Mangin's inventions of the pastry fork and the pastry fork spatula may not sound like a big deal today, but were very important at the time they were created.

Today we take much for granted because of modern technology but during the 1890's life was very differendifficult. an In those days, pastry dough was kneaded by hand which was a grueling and often painful process. Kneading dough by hand can cause arm cramps and also pain in the fingers, shoulders, or neck. The old-fashioned method of mixing by hand does not always allow the dough to become fully incorporated during the kneading process. When this happens the dough will not rise and most of the time it will be underbaked.

Anna Mangin's invention of the pastry fork was a major contribution to "everyday domesticated household needs early on in the 19th century" . Mangin received her patent for the pastry fork on March 1, 1892, in Queens, New York. I find this amazing because another black female inventor, Mary Kenner was unable to obtain a patent after creating the sanitary belt in the 1950s. She was rejected by the first company that approaached her because they found out that she was African American.

The pastry fork is an attachment that electrically mixes without the need for the use of the hand and arm. This tool had many uses, which include beating eggs, mashing potatoes, thickening foods, making salad dressing, and making drawn butter, as well as kneading pastry dough. Anna Mangin's invention improved the lives of many people, and eventually lead to additional electric mixing inventions that are in use to this very day.

As an African American female. myself, when I look at Anna Mangin's photos. I realize some of the struggles she must have dealt with. In addition to being a black women in business, she had a dark complexion and kinky hair. She probably was not taken seriously regarding her invention and was teased because of her skin color as well as the texture of her hair. This would be from her own race as well as any prejudice she experienced from non blacks. I admire Mangin because she persevered and gave the world something practical to make cooking less stressful.

Whatever difficulites she faced did not stop her and thats a lesson we all can learn. In a world where many are caught up in good looks and perfect bodies, Anna Mangin is proof that how you look on the outside has nothing to do with the creativity that is within. In 1893, Mangin's pastry fork was displayed at the New York Afro-American Exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition. Mangin's invention was located on the second floor of the in the women's exhibit building where the inovator had a corner area where she showcased her invention. I am certain that she was very proud and I am delighted today to share her story.