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18/51
1882
Increasing the Durability of Light Bulbs
New York
Lewis Latimer was an influential African American inventor, engineer, and draftsman whose contributions were pivotal in the fields of electric lighting and telecommunications. Born in 1848 to parents who had escaped slavery, Latimer overcame significant racial discrimination to achieve success, improving the carbon filament in light bulbs and assisting with the telephone's patent drawings. His technical innovations made electric lighting more affordable and practical.
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