Who invented blackboard?

James Pillans invented blackboard in 1800s. He worked as the headmaster of the Old High School of Edinburgh, Scotland. The students in his school used slates with wooden frames and wrote with another slate on it. This slate had wooden frames to protect them from breaking. He took slates and hung them on the wall to teach them Geography and this brought him an idea of the blackboard. Mr. George Baron, a Maths teacher carried this idea to the United States in 1801. He gave maths presentations on the blackboard in the West Point Military Academy, a place where he taught. The idea got popular among the teachers as it saved time, enhanced understanding and helped cater a larger group at the same time.

Soon the blackboard production started in Maine, Maryland, Virginia, Vermont and New York and was supplied all over America with the help of developing railways and the use of new invention was in full swing by 1850s. The blackboard became a common teaching aid for all the schools. And for last 200 years this has been the part and parcel of all the classrooms. The blackboards have also helped in business organizations and seminars too. It helps in giving presentations as well as getting innovative ideas from the people attending seminars.

The development in this field was made in 1960 with the advent of steel boards. The green boards gained popularity as they were helpful in keeping the eyes stress free. This invention brought revolution in the field of education.