September 13 – Lewis Latimer Receives Patent for his Electric Lamp

September 13, 1881: Lewis Latimer Receives Patent for his Electric Lamp.

African-Americans have made great contributions to improving the overall quality of life. Lewis Howard Latimer is not a household name, but on September 13, 1881, he patented his prototype for an eclectic lamp.

Over the course of his career as a draftsman, Latimer worked as an assistant to Alexander Graham Bell to help draft the design for the telephone. Later, Latimer became a member of Thomas Edison’s elite research team, “Edison’s Pioneers,” where he improved the prototype for the light bulb. Latimer’s knowledge of patents and electrical engineering made him incredibly valuable to Edison. 

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