What did benjamin banneker invent?
Benjamin Banneker was born in Maryland on November 9, 1731. His father and grandfather were former slaves. He met a man named Josef Levi who showed him a pocket watch. Banneker was so fascinated that Levi gave him the watch. He studied how it worked, drew a picture of it, and made mathematical calculations for the parts. He worked on building the clock for two years. In 1753, he finally completed it. It was made of wood and its gears were carved by hand. This was the first clock built in the United States. For more than forty years, the clock struck every hour. In addition to creating America’s first clock, Banneker had an interest in astronomy. When Banneker’s friend Andrew Ellicott died, he left him books on astronomy, scientific instruments, and a telescope. Banneker began to study astronomy and made mathematical calculations of the stars and constellations. He used these calculations to predict a solar eclipse that took place on April 14, 1789. His abilities in astronomy and mathem
