Frederick McKinley Jones's Innovations and Impact

Frederick McKinley Jones, a prolific African-American inventor from Minnesota, revolutionized the refrigeration industry with his invention of the first mechanical refrigeration unit for trucks. This innovation enabled the transport of fresh food across the country, leading to the rise of supermarkets and fast food industries. Jones held over 60 patents and was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Technology. His work continues to impact modern society, including the transport of vaccines during the pandemic.

What industries did Frederick McKinley Jones's most famous invention help create?

• Automobile and aviation

• Frozen foods and supermarkets

• Pharmaceuticals and healthcare

• Textile and fashion

Where did Frederick McKinley Jones spend his early years working on mechanical equipment?

• Halleck, Minnesota

• Cincinnati, Ohio

• Bloomington, Minnesota

• New York, New York

What was one of the early inventions by Jones that demonstrated his mechanical genius?

• An electric bicycle

• A steam engine

• A solar-powered vehicle

• A snowmobile with a car engine and airplane propeller

How did Joe Numero initially react when he met Frederick McKinley Jones?

• He ignored him

• He immediately recognized his genius

• He thought it was a joke

• He offered him a partnership

What challenge did Jones face while racing cars?

• Weather conditions

• Bigoted drivers refusing to compete against him

• Lack of funding

• Mechanical failures

What was the outcome of the bet between Joe Numero and his friend regarding a refrigerated trailer?

• Jones created a prototype within weeks

• Jones failed to create a prototype

• They decided to invest in another technology

• The idea was abandoned

During World War II, what was Jones's invention used for by the military?

• Communications equipment

• Building military vehicles

• Storing and transporting blood, medicine, and food

• Transporting troops

How many patents did Frederick McKinley Jones hold by the time of his death?

• Over 80

• Over 20

• Over 40

• Over 60

What prestigious award was given to Jones posthumously?

• Nobel Prize

• Pulitzer Prize

• National Medal of Technology

• Presidential Medal of Freedom

What is one of the modern uses of Jones's refrigeration technology?

• Heating homes

• Transporting life-saving vaccines

• Powering electric cars

• Cooling computer servers