The Lewis H. Latimer House Museum

The Lewis H. Latimer House Museum. Flushing Freedom Mile. , Lewis Howard Latimer was one of the most significant innovators in early electricity pioneering. He purchased this house in 1902 and lived there until his death in 1928. Along with Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, Latimer helped usher in America's 20th Century technological revolution., In 1879 Latimer invented the carbon filament , the device that makes electric lights practicable and affordable. By 1882 Latimer had patented several improvements to the incandescent light bulb., In 1885, Latimer began working at the Edison Electric Light Company (now General Electric), eventually being named chief draftsman. He authored "Incandescent Lighting," widely regarded as the foundation for modern day electrical engineering theory and practice. He was also the company's chief patent investigator and expert witness., [Captions:] Lewis Latimer on his porch, ca. 1920. Originally on Holly Avenue, the house was moved in 1988 and was designated a City landmark in 1995. (top, left), Latimer's patent drawing for the arc lamp, submitted in 1881. This was one of seven patents he received. (top, right), The title page of Latimer's book, published in 1890. This was one of the first guides on electric lighting. The handwritten notes on the page are Latimer's own. (bottom), Lewis Latimer (1848-1928) is depicted here as a young man, ca. 1868. (right)