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Lewis Howard Latimer Inventor, 1848-1928Biography | Learn More | Sources Biography
A talented draftsman and prolific inventor, Lewis Howard Latimer, was born on September 4, 1848, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. After serving in the United States Navy during the Civil War, Latimer worked in a patent law firm sketching patent drawings in Boston, Massachusetts. Recognized for his drawing skills, Latimer was hired by the inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, to draft the drawing necessary for a patent application of Bell’s famous telephone in February 1876. In 1880, after moving to Bridgeport, Connecticut, Latimer was hired as the assistant manager and draftsman for U.S. Electric Lighting Company. The company's owner, Hiram Maxim, greatly wanted to improve upon Edison's electric light bulb, which was invented the year before. Edison's light was composed of a glass bulb that surrounded a carbonized wire filament, generally made of bamboo, paper, or thread. When electricity passed through the filament inside the bulb (which contained almost no air), it became so hot that it actually glowed. But the high temperatures meant that the filament's life span was generally only a few days. Encouraged by Maxim, Latimer set out to greatly extend the filament's operating lifetime. He devised a way of encasing the filament within a cardboard envelope. This prevented the carbon from breaking, thereby prolonging the life of the bulb. The now long-life bulb became more economical and more energy efficient to use. As a result, the light bulb soon began to be installed within more homes. Latimer applied for a patent for the "Process of Manufacturing Carbons" and it was granted in January 1882. Latimer's abilities in electric lighting became well known and soon he was sought after to continue to improve on incandescent lighting. Eventually, as more major cities began wiring their streets for electric lighting, Latimer was sent to lead the planning team. He helped to install the first electric plants in Philadelphia, New York City, and Montreal and oversaw the installation of lighting in railroad stations, government building and major thoroughfares in Canada, New England, and London. Late in 1884, Latimer began working for the young Edison Electric Light Company in New York City, as a draftsman-engineer. He remained in that position through the initial consolidation of several subsidiary Edison interests into the Edison General Electric Company in 1889. In 1890, Latimer’s dissertation, Incandescent Electric Lighting—Practical Description of the Edison System, was published. Also in 1890, Latimer was transferred to the legal department where he served as draftsman and patent expert throughout final corporate mergers, which, in April of 1892, resulted in the formation of the present General Electric Company. From 1896 until its dissolution in 1911, he served as chief draftsman and full-time patent consultant for the Board of Patent Control that was jointly formed by General Electric and Westinghouse companies. In this capacity, he was solicited to testify as a patent authority in a number of infringement cases involving the two companies. Latimer's many surviving court transcripts attest to his adeptness in defending original Edison patent claims in an era that was characterized by widespread patent abuse. On January 24, 1918, Latimer was named one of the 24 charter members—and the only African-American member—of the "Edison Pioneers," a distinguished group of people deemed responsible for creating the nation's electrical industry. Latimer continued to display his creative talents over the next several years, receiving patents for a variety of inventions, including a safety elevator. Lewis Latimer died on December 11, 1928, and left behind a legacy of achievement and leadership. Learn MoreFind out more about Lewis H. Latimer in the EEI publication, Lewis Howard Latimer... A Black Inventor. Sources |
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