They Lived Here LEWIS H. LATIMER

While the convenience technology provides is greatly appreciated, rarely do we consider the person behind the idea. Though few in the Queens community know of Lewis H. Latimer, even less know of his contributions to society. Only Latimer’s house has been preserved as a landmark to remind us of his unique accomplishments.
Lewis Howard Latimer was born into a slave family on September 4, 1848. The son of George and Rebecca, Latimer was the youngest of three boys and one girl. With a desire for their children to be free, the family fled their life of bondage in Virginia and settled in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
At the age of 16, Latimer enlisted in the Union Navy during the Civil War. As a landsman on the U.S.S. Massasoit, Latimer learned the importance of striving for more in life.
Receiving an honorable discharge in 1865, Latimer returned to Boston and although his education was limited, Latimer kept himself busy doing odd jobs. Proving to be a diligent and skilled worker, Latimer quickly established a favorable reputation.
He also had a passion for drawing and painting. Having noticed his keen talent, Crosby and Gould, a group of patent lawyers in Boston quickly hired him as an office boy. With his thirst for knowledge, Latimer absorbed all he could around him.
With the little money he earned, Latimer purchased his own second-hand drafting set. Over time, he taught himself the discipline of mechanical drawing from library books and by observing other draftsmen.
Latimer invested much of his free time in his drawings and once he gained enough confidence, he approached his employer with his work. There was no doubt that Latimer had talent, and somewhat reluctantly, he was permitted to draw for the company. As Latimer became more comfortable, his work was even more exceptional. He was promoted to draftsman and eventually to chief draftsman.
In 1874, Latimer established his roots as an inventor by patenting his first device to improve the quality of bathrooms on railroad cars. He is more famously known for having prepared drawings for Alexander Graham Bell’s patent application for the telephone.
As an inventor, Latimer was awarded eight patents. With an already impressive resume for an escaped slave, Latimer was hired as an assistant manager and draftsman for the U.S. Electric Light Co. It was here that he developed his most famous invention. Latimer was the inventor responsible for the introduction of carbon filaments in light bulbs which extended their life. Following this breakthrough to the light bulb, Latimer wrote the book, Incandescent Light, which is still considered the basis for electrical engineering today.
Inspired by Latimer’s contribution, Thomas Alva Edison offered Latimer a job at his Edison Light Company, today known as General Electric. Latimer accepted the position and worked there for 25 years.
During that time, Latimer moved to Flushing with his wife Mary Wilson and their two daughters Jeanette and Louise. Their now famous house was originally located at 137-53 Holly Avenue. Passing away in 1928, Latimer left the house to his family.
In 1963 however, the house was sold, much to the family’s dismay. Developers wanted to tear the house down to build apartment buildings.
The Latimer family formed a non-profit organization to preserve the house and their memories. With the help of Queens Borough President Claire Shulman and former City Comptroller Harrison Goldin, they were able to relocate the house. The house was moved to its new location at 34-41 137th Street in Flushing.