Samuel Luther Thompson

Historical marker location:

600 E. Main Street, Danville, Indiana

( Marker can be reached from E. Main Street (U.S. 36) east of Wayne Street.)

Marker installed: 2006

The first public demonstration of the electric light bulb was given by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park, New Jersey, but the first practical incandescent light bulb was invented by Lewis Howard Latimer, who was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, but lived in Indiana for a time. Latimer was also the first African American to be employed as an engineer by the U.S. Patent Office.