Black Inventors
Who, What, When, Where, Why?
Learn all about the electric lamp by reading each part below (Chandler/White, 1986).Who?
Joseph Nichols and Lewis Latimer worked together on an improved light bulb filament. Latimer was the son of escaped slaves (Sulivan, 1998).What?
They improved the Edison light bulb, or electric lamp, by making a better filament. The filament is the part of the lamp that glows.When?
Their patent for the improved bulb was granted in 1881.Where?
They worked on their new bulb in New York City, a place where electrical lighting was becoming popular and important.Why?
Before the invention of the light bulb, a man had to climb a ladder to light each of the gas lamp posts. When electricity first came out, it was expensive. The first light bulbs were also expensive because the Edison bulb burned out quickly. A bulb that would last longer was needed.
Importance of The Electric Lamp in Life:
When the Edison electric lamp first came out, most people used gas and oil to light their houses and businesses at night. If electricity and electric lighting were to become more popular, it would be important for people to be able to afford them. With Latimer's and Nichol's longer lasting lamp, people could afford electrical lighting. Electrical lighting was brighter, safer, cleaner, and easier to use than gas and oil lighting.
Here is a drawing of the Latimer and Nichols lamp. Can you see the filament inside the bulb? Today, the filament is made from a substance called tungsten.
Researched by John Shore, North Carolina A&T State University
Drawing by Dr. Vincent Childress.
Photo by Hemera Photo Objects [Clipart CD].
References:Chandler/White Publishing Company, Inc. (1986). A Salute to Black Inventors. Chicago: author. [A series of booklets on black inventors for elementary school.] (312) 280-9451
Sullivan, O. R. (1998). Black Stars: African American Inventors. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Last Update: 9-26-02