Peter Cooper Hewitt

About

Creator of the first mercury-vapor lamp, a brighter and more durable light source, which was in popular use for decades after. He also developed and tested an early hydrofoil and the mercury arc rectifier, the first rectifier.

Before Fame

Finding that an electric current passed through a container of gas can create light, he joined other scientists of the mid-19th century in attempting to develop it into a practical device.

Trivia

Finding that his mercury-gas lamps gave off an unpleasing blue light, he decided to find uses for it outside the home; unfortunately for him, a better version appeared just two years after.

Family Life

He was born in New York City.

Associated With

Centuries before his invention, scientists like Ami Argand were already working on refining lamps.