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Lewis H. Latimer’s Patent for the Process of Manufacturing Carbons (1882)

Publication
This document is an official patent drawing and specification for Lewis Howard Latimer’s invention titled "Process of Manufacturing Carbons." The patent was granted on January 17, 1882, as U.S. Patent No. 252,386. The document features technical illustrations of Latimer’s innovative carbon filament manufacturing process, which was crucial to the development of long-lasting incandescent light bulbs. The signatures of witnesses and Latimer himself as the inventor are visible at the bottom of the document.
Lewis H. Latimer’s Patent for the Process of Manufacturing Carbons (1882) picture number 1

Lewis H. Latimer was a pioneering Black inventor and engineer who played a key role in the development and improvement of electric lighting technology. His expertise in carbon filament production helped make Thomas Edison’s incandescent light bulb commercially viable. This patent demonstrates his ingenuity in refining the process of producing carbon filaments, which extended the lifespan of electric bulbs and revolutionized modern lighting. Latimer’s contributions to electrical engineering were often overlooked, but this patent stands as historical evidence of his essential role in shaping technological advancements in the late 19th century.

Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]

(No Model.) L. H. LATIMER PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING CARBONS. No. 252,386. Patented Jan. 17, 1882. (Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 are technical diagrams illustrating the manufacturing process for carbon filaments.) Witnesses: E. H. Snyder A. P. Ransom Inventor: Lewis H. Latimer By Parker W. Page, Attorney S. N. Ritch, Photo-Lithographer, Washington, D.C.