Lewis LatimerLewis Latimer

Deon BankheadDeon Bankhead

Period 3Period 3

Dr. KuglerDr. Kugler

Lewis’s LifeLewis’s Life

Lewis Latimer was born in chelsea, Massachusetts on September Lewis Latimer was born in chelsea, Massachusetts on September 4, 1848. Latimer’s parents were runaway slaves who were 4, 1848. Latimer’s parents were runaway slaves who were assisted by whites as well as blacks in their getaway. At sixteen assisted by whites as well as blacks in their getaway. At sixteen Lewis joined the USS massasoit as a cabin boy. After an honrable Lewis joined the USS massasoit as a cabin boy. After an honrable discharge he returned to Boston. In 1885 Lewis found stable discharge he returned to Boston. In 1885 Lewis found stable employment at the Edison electric light company.employment at the Edison electric light company.

Edison encouraged Latimer to write a book about how easy it is for Edison encouraged Latimer to write a book about how easy it is for a incandescent lamp to produce light and it became very popular a incandescent lamp to produce light and it became very popular in 1890. Latimer worked along with edison to produce the light in 1890. Latimer worked along with edison to produce the light bulb though the filament uses carbon which doesn’t last as long as bulb though the filament uses carbon which doesn’t last as long as today’s tungsten filament.today’s tungsten filament.

He was forced to retire in 1922 due to failing eyesight and end his He was forced to retire in 1922 due to failing eyesight and end his career as a draftmen but continued to invent and teach his career as a draftmen but continued to invent and teach his drafting skills until his death in 1928.drafting skills until his death in 1928.

MileStonesMileStones 1848 Lewis Latimer was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on September 4, and 1848 Lewis Latimer was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on September 4, and

reared in Bostonreared in Boston1864 joins Navy as a cabin boy on the USS Massasoit1864 joins Navy as a cabin boy on the USS Massasoit1865 joins Boston, Massachusetts based Crosby and Gould, patent solicitors, as 1865 joins Boston, Massachusetts based Crosby and Gould, patent solicitors, as office boyoffice boy1879 moves to Bridgeport, Connecticut to work as a draftsman1879 moves to Bridgeport, Connecticut to work as a draftsman1880 joins United States Electric Lighting Co. as a draftsman working for Hiram 1880 joins United States Electric Lighting Co. as a draftsman working for Hiram Stevens MaximStevens Maxim1882 left U. S. E. I co. to work for several companies in the electrical industry1882 left U. S. E. I co. to work for several companies in the electrical industry1885 Latimer found stable employment with the Edison Electric Light Company 1885 Latimer found stable employment with the Edison Electric Light Company of New Yorkof New York1892 Edison Electric Light Company merged with Thomson-Houston to become 1892 Edison Electric Light Company merged with Thomson-Houston to become General ElectricGeneral Electric1896 Latimer joined the Board of Patent Control, a joint arrangement between 1896 Latimer joined the Board of Patent Control, a joint arrangement between GE and WestinghouseGE and Westinghouse1910 968,787 William S. Norton 8/30 for Lamp-Fixture (assigned 50% to Lewis 1910 968,787 William S. Norton 8/30 for Lamp-Fixture (assigned 50% to Lewis Latimer)Latimer)1911 began work in the private consulting firm headed by Edwin Hammer and 1911 began work in the private consulting firm headed by Edwin Hammer and Elmer Schwarz.Elmer Schwarz.1918 Lewis becomes a charter member of a rather exclusive social group: the 1918 Lewis becomes a charter member of a rather exclusive social group: the Edison PioneersEdison Pioneers1922 Latimer retired when failing eyesight caused an end to his career as a 1922 Latimer retired when failing eyesight caused an end to his career as a draftsmandraftsman1928 Lewis Latimer died on December 11, in New York1928 Lewis Latimer died on December 11, in New York

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ConclusionConclusion

In all, Lewis Latimer was a great In all, Lewis Latimer was a great inventor and helped our modern inventor and helped our modern society become to what it is today in society become to what it is today in many ways by advancing our modern many ways by advancing our modern technology.technology.