Alice H. Parker was born in Morristown, New Jersey, around 1895. While the exact date is not documented, this year provides a starting point for understanding her life and the context of the early 20th century, a time of significant social and technological change.

Parker received her education in the public school system. While specific details of her early schooling are unknown, her later invention indicates a strong foundation in science and mechanics, suggesting a keen intellect and a capacity for problem-solving nurtured during her formative years.

Alice H. Parker graduated with honors from Howard University Academy, a preparatory school for Howard University. This achievement demonstrates her academic excellence and commitment to education during a time when opportunities for African Americans, especially women, were severely limited. It provided her with a strong intellectual foundation for her future endeavors.

While specific details of Parker's early career are scarce, it is believed that during this period, she likely held various jobs to support herself. It's presumed she observed the inefficiencies and dangers of existing heating systems, particularly wood-burning fireplaces, which were common at the time. This observation likely sparked her interest in developing a safer and more efficient alternative.

Alice H. Parker filed a patent application for her innovative heating furnace design. This was a significant step, demonstrating her commitment to improving home heating technology. This pivotal event is the most significant in the known timeline of her life, marking her entrance into the world of invention.

Alice H. Parker's patent, US Patent 1,325,905, was awarded for her heating furnace that utilized natural gas. Her design was groundbreaking, as it envisioned a system with multiple burners individually controlled to heat different areas of a building. Though never implemented exactly as she designed it, her concept of zone heating predates modern central heating systems and laid a groundwork for future improvements in climate control.

Details regarding Alice H. Parker's life after receiving her patent are currently unknown. There is no record of her commercializing her invention herself, but her patent is recognized as an important step towards the development of modern central heating systems. The limited historical records highlight the challenges faced by African American inventors, particularly women, in gaining recognition and commercial success for their innovations during this era.