September 13 In Patent History

Exploring this day in patent history with IDiyas. Today is September 13 and on this day in 1881 an African American inventor, son of escaped slaves Lewis Howard Latimer granted a U.S. Patent N0. 247,097, for an “Electric lamp”.

Lewis Howard Latimer - patent history

Lewis Howard Latimer (1848-1928) had a humble educational background, having attended only grade school. However, his thirst for knowledge was insatiable, and he pursued self-education with great enthusiasm. He had an insatiable appetite for reading, drawing, and learning in a wide range of subjects.

In 1880, Herman Maxim, the Chief Engineer and Electrician for the United States Lighting Company, recognized Latimer’s exceptional talents as a draftsman and decided to bring him on board. Latimer seized this opportunity to immerse himself in the field of the electric industry and expand his knowledge even further.

Tackling the problem of bettering the filament system, which generated light inside the bulb, Latimer came upon the idea of utilizing “a continuous strip of carbon secured by metallic wires and enclosed in a hermetically sealed and thoroughly exhaustive transparent receiver.” While not alone in the creation of this process, Latimer’s carbon filament bettered Edison’s original paper filament, ensuring a longer-lasting bulb. This success eventually brought him to the attention of Edison himself, for whom he went to work, and struck up a friendship with. Thomas Edison was one of the most famous Americans of his day, and Latimer’s relationship with him ensured that Latimer moved amongst the highest circles of New York society. Such stature spread Latimer’s name far and wide, especially in the black community.

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Latimer is an inductee of the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his work on electric filament manufacturing techniques.

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