Categories: Patents

September 13 In Patent History

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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 (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.

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

U.S. Patent 147,363 “Improvement in water-closets for railroad-cars” (with Brown, Charles W.), February 10, 1874
U.S. Patent 247,097 “Electric lamp” (with Nichols, Joseph V.), September 13, 1881
U.S. Patent 252,386 “Process of Manufacturing Carbons”, January 17, 1882
U.S. Patent 255,212 “Supporter for electric lamps” (with Tregoning, John), March 21, 1882
U.S. Patent 334,078 “Apparatus for cooling and disinfecting”, January 12, 1886
U.S. Patent 557,076 “Locking rack for hats, coats, and umbrellas”, March 24, 1896
U.S. Patent 781,890 “Book Supporter”, February 7, 1905
U.S. Patent 968,787 “Lamp fixture” (with Norton, William Sheil), August 30, 1910

Tags: African American inventorElectric lampIDiyasLewis Howard LatimerPatentsProlific inventorsUSPTO

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Angelina Kushnarova

Angelina Kushnarova (Sverediuk) was born in Ukraine. She graduated from Ternopil Medical University with a specialization in Medicine and completed an internship in Radiology at Lviv University. She worked as a Radiologist, while also working as a web developer.

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View Comments

Galen Handy says:

July 27, 2024 at 5:32 pm

Lewis Latimer page.

“Herman Maxim” ???
You meant to say Hiram Stevens Maxim, one of the most important inventors of the period (machine gun etc.)
His son, Hiram Percy Maxim, was a major force behind early automobiles and radio.

How am I to believe any of your “facts" when there is such an obvious error?

Regards, Galen Handy