Lewis Latimer
Inventor who helped make the electric light bulb practical and affordable.
Their Story
Lewis Latimer was an African American inventor and draftsman who worked alongside leading inventors of his time. He developed an improved method for making carbon filaments, which helped light bulbs last longer and cost less. He also created the technical drawings for Alexander Graham Bell's telephone patent.
Era
1800s
Field
Electrical Engineering
Lewis Latimer
Inventor who helped make the electric light bulb practical and affordable.
Engineering · Electrical Engineering · 1800s · Black Innovators
Their Story
Lewis Latimer was an African American inventor and draftsman who worked alongside leading inventors of his time. He developed an improved method for making carbon filaments, which helped light bulbs last longer and cost less. He also created the technical drawings for Alexander Graham Bell's telephone patent.
Key Innovation
Invented a longer-lasting carbon filament process that made electric lighting more practical.
Why It Matters Today
The electric lights in our homes and schools trace back to improvements like Latimer's that made lighting affordable for everyone.
Learn More
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Latimer
Wilkinson STEM Education Foundation · 251 American Innovators · wilkinsonstemfoundation.org
