This Black History Month, I’m sharing stories of black inventors and their contributions to our lives with products we’ve come to know and love. Follow to learn about other black inventors and their products throughout the month!
Do you use smart light bulbs? You can schedule when they come on, change the colors to set the mood in a room or dim them from your phone. There were many innovations that paved the way for smart lighting.
I learned this is possible thanks to the invention of an African-American inventor, electrical pioneer and patent expert. We often hear about Thomas Edison as the inventor of the light bulb. They worked together at General Electric. Latimer’s invention of the carbon filament improved the incandescent light bulb.
The Inventor: Lewis H. Latimer
An African American man, Lewis H. Latimer invented invented a more efficient and durable electric light bulb with a carbon filament
The Product: Carbon Light Bulb Filament
U.S. Patent No. 252,386: Process of Manufacturing Carbons (1882)
The Pain Point
Earlier filaments used more incendiary materials, like bamboo, and the light bulbs died after just a few days.
The Solution
Latimer’s filament used carbon which increased the life span and practicality of light bulbs and was a more affordable option to an incandescent light bulb.
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Do you use smart light bulbs? I would love to hear in the comments!
Dasanj Aberdeen is an entrepreneurial spirit who embodies the combination of left-brain logic and right-brain creativity. She is a consultant and proponent of multidisciplinary education, approaches and pursuits. She writes about their benefits in modern times and integrating multiple interests into a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. She’s a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University with a concentration in Technology & Innovation Management, jointly delivered by the Fox School of Business and College of Engineering.
