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Lewis H. Latimer’s Legal Testimony in Edison Electric Light Co. v. Columbia Incandescent Lamp Co. (1890s)

Publication
This document is a legal testimony from the United States Circuit Court, Eastern District of Missouri in an equity case between the Edison Electric Light Company and Columbia Incandescent Lamp Company. The document is a sworn statement by Lewis H. Latimer, in which he provides details about his age, residence, and professional background as a mechanical draftsman. He describes his employment history, including his role at the United States Electric Lighting Company under Hiram S. Maxim, and his work in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where the incandescent branch of the company was later moved.
Lewis H. Latimer’s Legal Testimony in Edison Electric Light Co. v. Columbia Incandescent Lamp Co. (1890s) picture number 1

This legal testimony is likely related to a patent dispute or intellectual property case concerning electric lighting technology. Lewis H. Latimer was a key figure in the development of electric lighting and worked closely with pioneers such as Thomas Edison and Hiram Maxim. His involvement in this case suggests that his expertise and contributions to electric lamp design were significant enough to be included as evidence or testimony in court. The lawsuit reflects the intense legal battles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries over patents related to incandescent lighting.

The Lewis H. Latimer Papers (1870-1929, 1972) [QPL Subgroup]Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]

UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT, Eastern District of Missouri. ------------------------------------X Edison Electric Light Co., et al, vs. Columbia Incandescent Lamp Co., et al ------------------------------------X In Equity. State of New York: City and County ss: of New York LEWIS H. LATIMER being duly sworn deposes and says as follows: I am 44 years of age and reside at No. 324 East 55th St., New York City. I am a Mechanical Draughtsman by profession and have followed this occupation for over twenty years. I entered the employ of the United States Electric Lighting Company as draughtsman to Hiram S. Maxim,— then superintendent in charge of their work,— in February, 1880, and was at that time located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, from which place the incandescent branch of the United States Electric Lighting Company’s business was removed to [...] (document is cut off at this point).