Lewis Latimer: Past Innovator

Lewis Latimer, the son of runaway slaves and a man with little formal education, combined an appetite for learning with an aptitude for drawing to become a key contributor to one of history's most important inventions, the incandescent light bulb.

Latimer was born in 1848 in Chelsea, Massachusetts. While employed as an office clerk at a Boston patent law firm, his intelligence, exceptional drafting ability and amiable personality so impressed his employers that he eventually became chief draftsman. In this capacity - drafting drawings to accompany patent applications - he witnessed firsthand the climate of innovation and invention so prevalent at the time. He became bitten by the inventing bug and received his first patent for "an improved water closet for railway cars" in 1874.

In early 1880, Latimer, who by then had moved with his wife Mary to Bridgeport, Connecticut, caught the attention of Hiram Maxim, the chief inventor at the U.S. Electric Lighting Company. U.S. Electric was engaged in the race to develop an affordable incandescent light bulb and Maxim hired Latimer to aid the company in its efforts. Latimer quickly set out to educate himself on all aspects of the burgeoning electric light industry.

Latimer learned that the main barrier to developing a commercially viable bulb was that the bamboo, paper or thread filaments then in use would not last more than a few days. Latimer invented a carbon filament that proved much more durable and patented a process for its affordable mass production. These innovations paved the way for the widespread use of electric light.

From 1883 to 1911, Latimer worked at the Edison Electric Company (the company that would later become General Electric). His contributions to the company were so valuable that in 1918, Latimer became a charter member - and the only African American member - of the Edison Pioneers, a group of 28 individuals instrumental in the development of the electric light industry.

When he died in 1928, the Edison Pioneers wrote of Lewis Latimer, "Broadmindedness, versatility in the accomplishment of things intellectual and cultural, a linguist, a devoted husband and father, all were characteristics of him." And, like his most noteworthy invention, Latimer's legacy, a life of brilliant achievements under difficult circumstances, is bright and enduring.

In recognition of this legacy, GE has created the Lewis H. Latimer Award. This annual award honors minority employees of GE who, in their leadership of projects, display outstanding technical talent and/or exceptional innovative skills.

Vivian Blade: Present Innovator

In 1883, Lewis Latimer applied knowledge and innovation to create America's first incandescent light bulb. A century later, Vivian Hairston Blade of GE Appliances demonstrated equivalent ingenuity as she championed the commercialization of GE's first major appliance in 25 years, the Advantium Speedcook Oven.

Vivian led process improvement efforts which significantly impacted customer awareness and receptivity to this new product. GE distinguished Vivian's work as a showcase example of process innovation at the 2000 Design for Six Sigma Conference and awarded Vivian the first annual Lewis H. Latimer Award. A certified Black Belt in Six Sigma Quality, Vivian has gone on to launch GE's new clothes care products, Prodigy and Wizard. Additionally, GE Appliances honored Vivian as a YMCA Adult Black Achiever in Louisville, Kentucky. From the inventors of yesterday to the talent of tomorrow, GE salutes all of those who contribute their minds, hands and hearts to innovation. It's people like Vivian who make GE a place to build a career and live out dreams.