2. Norbert Rillieux
Norbert Rillieux was an African-American engineer and inventor; and noted today for his multiple-effect evaporator. He was born into a prominent Creole family in Louisiana and his invention was essential for the development of the sugar industry. Rillieux’s evaporator offers better fuel efficiency, by lowering the boiling point of sugar cane juice. The technology reduced the price of sugar and transformed it to household item. His improved evaporation concept was also applicable for the manufacturing process of glue, gelatin and soap. Some have considered his evaporator as one of the greatest invention in American’s chemical engineering.