Lewis Howard Latimer (September 4, 1848 – December 11, 1928) was a writer, poet, inventor and mechanical draftsman whose work contributed to the most popular inventions of his time. Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts to slaves that escaped from Virginia, he excelled in primary school while working under his father. His father was captured and defended by abolitionists before being able to purchase his freedom. His father left after the Dred Scott decision, likely fearing a return to slavery.
Latimer joined the Union Navy, at 16, in the U.S. Civil War, and left with honorable discharge on July 3, 1865. After discharge, he held a menial job at a patent law office. He taught himself drafting and mechanical drawing while observing others at the firm, which led to his recognition, and promotion to a draftsman.
Aside from drafting for others, he held patents from his own work. Some of his inventions included a portable air conditioning unit and an improved railroad bathroom. He also helped draft the patent for the telephone by improving the sound quality with Alexander Graham Bell. He also worked for Thomas Edison and created designs that improved carbon filaments for the lightbulb. In 1890, he published a book “Incandescent Electric Lighting: A Practical Description of the Edison System” which described incandescent lighting and how it worked for consumers. On numerous occasions, he defended Edison’s patent.
He worked at a patent consulting firm until his health began to fail. Latimer ended up passing away in 1928 at the age of 80 in Queens, NY. Latimer was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006.
References:
- https://www.invent.org/inductees/lewis-latimer
- https://www.lewislatimerhouse.org/about
- https://invention.si.edu/invention-stories/innovative-lives-lewis-latimer-1848-1928-renaissance-man
- https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/local/2023/09/24/lewis-latimer-black-inventor-who-worked-with-edison-given-memorial/70949726007/
- https://www.biography.com/inventors/lewis-howard-latimer
Image Source and Citation:
Lewis Howard Latimer. (1998). In Massachusetts Hall of Black Achievement. Item 9.
Available at https://vc.bridgew.edu/hoba/9
Lewis Latimer on Oil. 1988
Artist: T.A. Charron
