Frederick McKinley Jones  (May 17, 1893 – February 21, 1961) was an African-American inventor, entrepreneur, winner of the  National Medal of Technology , and an  inductee  of the  National Inventors Hall of Fame . [1]  His innovations in  refrigeration  brought great improvement to the long-haul transportation of perishable goods. [2]  He cofounded  Thermo King . [1]