As an expert draftsman, inventor, and scientist, Lewis Howard Latimer helped Alexander Graham Bell patent the telephone and became Thomas Edison’s most trusted partner. Credited with inventing carbon filaments for light bulbs, the first air conditioner, and improvements for elevators and railroad car toilets, Latimer also found time to learn French, write poetry, play multiple instruments, and publish the first book ever written on electrical lighting. That he was the son of slaves, had no formal education, and joined the Navy at 16 in order to fight in the Civil War makes his life story that much more impressive!

Killer Biographies is now season two of the Killer Means Awesome podcast.  Check out season one to hear amazing true tales of recently discovered shipwrecks.  Season three features  stories behind famous invention