Noel Mayo, an American industrial designer who founded the first African American industrial design firm, died on January 29, 2026.
Mayo founded Noel Mayo Associates, which produced work for clients including IBM, NASA and the National Museum of American Jewish History. Born on December 30, 1937, in Orange, New Jersey, he moved frequently as a child before attending Sunnycrest Farm for Negro Boys in Cheney, Pennsylvania, and later discovered industrial design while working at an art store in high school.
After studying in Philadelphia, he was hired during college by Carreiro/Sklaroff Design Associates and later bought the firm in 1964, renaming it Noel Mayo Associates.
Noel Mayo (December 30, 1937 – January 29, 2026) was an American industrial designer. He founded the first African American industrial design firm. His company, Noel Mayo Associates, has produced work for clients such as IBM, NASA, and the National Museum of American Jewish History.