Emmett W. Chappelle

Emmett Chappelle’s scientific research and the 14 United States patents he received for his inventions have made significant contributions to the scientific community.

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However, due to various systemic racist barriers, much about Chappelle's early life remains unknown.

Chappelle was born on October 24, 1925, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Viola White Chappelle and Isom Chappelle. His family operated a small farm where they cultivated cotton and raised cows. As a child, he enjoyed exploring the desert landscape of Arizona and discovering its natural wonders.

After graduating from Phoenix Union Colored High School in 1942, Chappelle was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program, where he took some engineering courses. Later, he was reassigned to serve in Italy with the all-Black 92nd Infantry Division. Upon returning to the United States, he studied electrical engineering and earned an associate degree from Phoenix College. He then went on to earn a B.S. in biology from the University of California at Berkeley.