URBANOLOGY
HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
Harlem’s First Mobile Barbershop was created in 1836, many Afri-
shop. A lifelong resident of Har-
foot steps of his ancestors who
meet the requirements to become
can American inventions were
lem Linwood, like many young
used necessity as a motivating
a certified COVID-19 business.
stolen or purchased for small
African American males with an
foundation for creativity.
sums of money. These inventions
entrepreneurial spirit but no eco-
Linwood saved his money
Linwood purchase a second van
have made millions and still are
nomic opportunity, became an
and purchased a used Ford E-350
and the grand opening for the
popular household appliances:
illegitimate capitalist. In 2005, he
van. He installed wooden floors,
second mobile barbershop will
the clothes drier, the mop, the
was arrested for selling narcotics
a music system, and a barber’s
be on August 16th from 4:00pm
mailbox, and the ironing board
and was sentenced to a one-year
chair. He bought a used generator
to 8pm. The location will still be
to name a few. If it wasn’t for
prison term. After his release, he
to operate his clippers and other
at 128th street and Malcolm X
Henry Baker, who worked in the
made a vow to never return.
electronics. The old generator
Blvd.
The boom in business helped
tan and the Bronx with plans for
U.S. Patent office from the late
Dillard decided to become
was noisy making many people
The best way to sched-
1800’s to the early 1900’s, we
a master barber and in time be-
in the neighborhoods he traveled
ule an appointment and learn
the
would have never known about
came a partner in the Design Line
to complain.
about services for both men and
Linwood Dillard III is fol-
mother of inven-
the numerous African American
storefront barbershop, located in
He eventually installed so-
women is to call 929 270-7769
lowing in a century’s old tradition
tion”: is a famil-
patents.
By: W.A.Rogers
“N
ecessity
is
expansion into other boroughs in the future.
Central Harlem on Malcolm X
lar panels on the roof of the van
between now and August 16th.
of individuals of African descent
iar saying and a reason many of
Slave masters did not work,
Boulevard. After five years of a
which reduced energy cost and
You can also follow the mobile
who created inventions and ini-
the inventions that we appreciate
many of the inventions that made
successful business, the rent sky-
noise. The engine died in the van
barber on Instagram (@dabar-
tiatives to improve the quality of
today were invented by people of
work easier was invented by the
rocketed by 143% from $3,500 to
and it became stationary on 128th
bergodd).
life. Most people are not aware
African descent. During slavery
African slave. Henry Baker made
$8,500 per month. This put the
street and Malcolm X Blvd.
and the Jim Crow era, hard work
a mark next to all the U.S. patents
barbershop out of business.
with little to no pay created the
awarded to African Americans.
After losing the barbershop
motivation to make work easier.
His work is now recorded in what
It was the foundation of hundreds of inventions that were never credited to the real inventors. When the U. S. Patent Office
Lin-
of these creative individuals. I
closed
wood’s business manager, in-
suggest you research the Henry
Linwood’s
formed me that Linwood will
Baker papers; you will be sur-
and going through periods of
business grew. His loyal custom-
have two barber chairs in the new
prised at what you learn. I also
is called the Henry Baker Papers.
being homeless, and commercial
ers plus many new customers
van. Linwood will work on mak-
recommend visiting Harlem’s
This creativity still exists today.
real estate in Harlem continued
including myself. With only one
ing the first van mobile again to
first Mobile Barbershop: a fine
Linwood Dillard III created
to make it almost impossible to
chair and an online reservation
resume bringing the mobile bar-
example of why necessity is con-
the first Harlem Mobile Barber-
survive, Linwood followed in the
system, Linwood was able to
bershop to your door in Manhat-
sidered the mother of invention.
When most
COVID-19
barbershops,
Emily
Dominquez,
Harlem Community Newspapers | August 6. 2020
Answers to Puzzle on page 20
18
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