Lewis H. Latimer
From Philosopedia
Latimer, Lewis H. (1848 - 1928)
Latimer, an African American inventor and a pioneer in the electric light, was the son of Virginia slaves. He had a difficult childhood inasmuch as his parents had escaped and were actively being pursued by James Gray, their owner. Fortunately, they succeeded in escaping and young Latimer secured work as a draftsman, although he had no experience.
With a knack for invention, he assisted Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison and is best remembered for making the carbon filament, which made practical Edison's electric light bulb. The bulb formerly had used a bamboo filament, which burned out quickly. In addition, Latimer drew up the blueprints for Bell's telephone.
In 1890 Latimer wrote Incandescent Electric Lighting, the first book written on that subject. "Lights outside as well as in,"� he wrote, "are equally under control, and the coming or retiring guest may be lighted top the farthest point of the most extensive grounds without the necessity of the host being in any way exposed to the weather."� This meant no more gaslights, and soon he was asked to set up lighting systems for buildings and streets in New York, London, Montreal, and Philadelphia.
Latimer also developed the firt threaded lightbulb socket and help install New York City's first electric streetlamps.
A founding member of a Unitarian church near his New York home in Flushing, Latimer wrote the section on Latin American philosophy for the Encyclopedia of Religion.
In 1993, his granddaughter, Dr. Winifred Latimer Norman, wrote a biography, Lewis H. Latimer, Scientist. Through her efforts, her grandfather's house in Flushing, New York, was saved from being demolished. Now a landmark, it is at 137th and Leavitt Streets, across from the Latimer Houses, which were named for the inventor.
(See entry for Winfred Latimer Norman.)
- The Latimer House
- Flushing, New York
