Shelby J. Davidson
(born: 1868 – died: 1931)
Lawyer, Inventor
He invented a paper rewinding device for a tabulating machine and an adding machine attachment for automatically adding in set amounts. Shelby Davidson’s Papers are at Howard University.
Biographical Sketch
1868 Born to Shelby J. and Amelia Scott Davidson in Lexington, Kentucky, May 10.
1893 Received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University. Began a clerkship with the
United States government in Washington, D. C.
1894 Married Leonora Coates of Massponax, Va., Feb. 1.
1899 Admitted to the bar in Kentucky.
1900 Admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia.
1906 Commissioned by the United States Treasury Department to study the mechanics of
adding machines.
1911 Invented a “Rewind device”, for the adding machine.
1912 Admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court. Resigned from government
service.
1916-17 President of the General Alumni Association of Howard University.
Executive Secretary of the District of Columbia N.A.A.C.P.
1930 Died in Washington, D. C. December 7.
Resources
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