Born: 1855 (Toledo, Ohio)
Died: 1905
Biography:
Sarah Elisabeth Goode (1855 – April 8, 1905) was an American entrepreneur and inventor. She was one of the first known African American women to receive a United States patent, which she received in 1885 for her cabinet bed.
Born in 1855 in Toledo, Ohio to Oliver and Harriet (Kaufman) Jacobs, Goode was originally named Sarah Elisabeth Jacobs. Her father worked as a waiter, while her mother served as an organizer for the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society. The family resided in Toledo, a significant stop on the Underground Railroad.
Not much is known about Goode’s early life, but before 1870, her family relocated to Chicago, Illinois. There, she married Archibald Goode and together they had several children. Sarah and Archibald opened a furniture store and worked as upholsterers. Their furniture store was located at 513 State Street in Chicago, inside the Bennett Medical College building.
In 1885, Goode’s inventive spirit came to the forefront when she introduced her most significant creation, the cabinet bed. At the time, many of Goode’s customers were working-class individuals living in small apartments with limited space for furniture. As New York City passed laws restricting the size of buildings and tenement footprints, Goode recognized the need for innovative solutions.
Her cabinet bed, a folding bed which transformed into a roll-top desk with storage compartments, provided the perfect solution for individuals living in cramped quarters. This invention would later become the precursor to the Murphy Bed. Through her patent, Goode aimed to balance the weight of the folding bed, making it more accessible and convenient for apartment dwellers.
Despite facing challenges, including multiple rejections and numerous adjustments to her invention patent application, Goode persevered. After twenty months of waiting and persistence, Goode finally received her patent with the assistance of attorney George P. Barton.
Goode’s entrepreneurial spirit and determination extended beyond her invention. She and her husband operated their furniture store successfully. Although the specific records of their store ceased to exist by 1887, a furniture listing under Archibald’s name could be found further down State Street.
Sarah Goode’s invention revolutionized small apartment living and made a significant impact. Her folding bed provided comfort and convenience, enabling those with limited space to maximize their living areas. Goode’s inventive spirit and determination have inspired generations and continue to play a vital role in women’s history.