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Peter Cooper Hewitt, born in New York City, was an inventor, scientist, and electrical engineer. He is known for inventing the mercury vapour lamp, which was widely used for street and outdoor lighting. Hewitt's lamp was an improvement on the incandescent lamps of the 1890s, which were inefficient and converted only 5% of energy into light. By passing an electric current through mercury gas sealed in a quartz tube, Hewitt's lamp addressed the inefficiencies of the incandescent lamps and became the prototype for modern fluorescent lights. While Peter Cooper Hewitt did not invent electric light, his contributions to lighting technology advanced electrical lighting and left a lasting impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Cooper Hewitt |
| Birth Date | March 5, 1861 or May 5, 1861 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Death Date | August 25, 1921 |
| Death Place | Paris, France |
| Occupation | Inventor, Scientist, Electrical Engineer |
| Education | Stevens Institute of Technology, Columbia University School of Mines |
| Notable Inventions | Mercury Vapor Lamp, Helicopter, Cooper Hewitt Electric Company |
| Awards and Honours | Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Honorary Doctorate of Science from Columbia University, Bessemer Gold Medal from the Iron and Steel Institute of Great Britain, Elliott Cresson Medal of the Franklin Institute |
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What You'll Learn
Peter Cooper Hewitt, the inventor
Peter Cooper Hewitt, born on March 5, 1861, in New York City, was an inventor, scientist and electrical engineer. He was the son of Abram and Sarah Hewitt and inherited much of his grandfather's genius for mechanics. Hewitt received an education at the Stevens Institute of Technology and the Columbia University School of Mines, from which he later received an Honorary Doctorate of Science in 1903.
Hewitt's work as an inventor was enabled by the wealth amassed by his grandfather and father. Much of his adult life was devoted to scientific experimentation and the development of several patents. In the late 1880s, Hewitt's work began to bear fruit. His first invention was the mercury-vapour lamp, which he marketed in 1901. This invention was a great advance in electrical lighting and a prototype of today's modern fluorescent lights. The mercury-vapour lamp addressed the problem of 19th-century lamps being very wasteful and inefficient. Hewitt's lamp was an improvement on the incandescent lamps that were being used in the 1890s, which converted only 5% of the energy used into light and converted the other 95% to heat.
Hewitt's mercury-vapour lamp passed an electric current through mercury gas sealed in a quartz tube. The emitted light was of a bluish-green colour, which limited its use. However, Hewitt continued to work on his invention and soon discovered that he could balance the light by adding elements to the vapour and including a transformer that stepped up the current. This improved model, brought out in 1903, had better colour qualities and found widespread use for industrial lighting. The lamp was also used for street and outdoor lighting and in biological research.
Hewitt's other inventions include the mercury rectifier, a device for converting alternating current into direct current, and a radio receiver. He also discovered the fundamental principle of the vacuum-tube amplifier during his study of the flow of electricity through rarefied gases. In 1902, Hewitt and George Westinghouse formed the "Cooper Hewitt Electric Company" to manufacture and sell their new lamps. The company grew to be very successful, and by 1914, the General Electric Company had assumed a controlling interest in it. Hewitt was acknowledged for many of his inventions during the years 1904-1914 and received several honours for his work.
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Mercury vapour lamp
Peter Cooper Hewitt, born on March 5, 1861, in New York City, was an American electrical engineer, inventor, and scientist. He is credited with inventing the mercury vapour lamp, which was a significant advancement in the field of electrical lighting.
Hewitt's interest in electricity and mechanics began at an early age, and he conducted his research in a greenhouse that he converted into a workshop. He experimented with electric conductivity and successfully proved that a gas can conduct an electrical charge. By passing an electric current through mercury gas sealed in a quartz tube, Hewitt created the mercury vapour lamp. This invention addressed the inefficiency of incandescent lamps, which converted only 5% of energy into light, wasting the remaining 95% as heat.
The mercury vapour lamp patented by Hewitt was widely used for street and outdoor lighting. However, the light emitted was a bluish-green colour, which limited its use. To address this issue, Hewitt continued refining his invention and discovered that adding elements to the vapour and incorporating a transformer to increase the current improved the light's colour balance. This improved version, introduced in 1903, gained widespread adoption for industrial lighting.
The ultraviolet light produced by the mercury vapour lamp had various applications, including water treatment and therapeutic practices, sterilisation, and chemical processes. The lamp's efficiency and unique light characteristics led to its demand, and in 1902, Hewitt partnered with George Westinghouse to establish the "Cooper Hewitt Electric Company" for its manufacture and sale. The company's success attracted the interest of the General Electric Company, which acquired a controlling interest in 1914. Hewitt's contributions to lighting technology laid the foundation for modern fluorescent lights, and he received recognition for his inventions during the years 1904-1914.
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Inefficient 19th-century lighting
In the 19th century, lighting was inefficient and wasteful compared to modern standards. Gas lighting of buildings and streets began in the early 19th century, but for the first 50 years, it was generally distrusted, and few homes were lit with gas. The gas fittings in the new Houses of Parliament in 1859 changed this, and fashionable townhouses constructed in the 1860s often featured central pendant gas lights in their principal rooms. These gas lights were often ornate, with cut glass decorations or etched patterns. The light from these fixtures was directed upwards, towards the ceiling, and away from where illumination was needed most.
The most common burners of the mid-19th century produced fan-shaped flames like the Batswing and Fish Tail burners. The Argand burner, which was adapted for gas, was the principal exception, producing a circular flame. Early incandescent lamps, such as those used in the 1890s, were highly inefficient, converting only 5% of the energy used into light, with the remaining 95% becoming heat.
In 1879, Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan patented the carbon-thread incandescent lamp, which lasted 40 hours. Edison produced a more efficient 16-watt lightbulb the following year, which could last 1500 hours. In 1882, large-scale direct current-based indoor incandescent lighting was introduced with Edison's first Pearl Street Station. The incandescent gas mantle, which revolutionised gas lighting, was invented around 1885.
Peter Cooper Hewitt, born in 1861, was an American electrical engineer who made significant advancements in lighting technology. By experimenting with electric conductivity, he discovered that an electric current could pass through mercury gas sealed in a quartz tube. This led to his invention of the mercury-vapour lamp, which was first marketed in 1901 and widely used for street and outdoor lighting. Hewitt's lamp was much more efficient than the incandescent lamps of the time, but the light it emitted was a bluish-green colour, limiting its use. He continued to refine his design, and by 1903, he had developed an improved model with better colour qualities that found widespread use for industrial lighting.
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Hewitt's other inventions
Peter Cooper Hewitt was an American electrical engineer and inventor, born in New York City in 1861. He had a prolific career and was responsible for several inventions, including:
The Mercury-Vapor Lamp:
Hewitt is known for inventing the first mercury-vapor lamp in 1901, which was later patented in September of the same year. This lamp was a significant advancement in electrical lighting. By experimenting with electric conductivity, Hewitt discovered that an electric current could pass through mercury gas sealed in a quartz tube. This lamp produced an intense, cool, bluish-green light, and it was more efficient and less expensive to operate compared to the incandescent lamps of the 1890s. Hewitt later improved the colour qualities of the lamp, making it more widely used for industrial lighting.
The Mercury Rectifier:
Hewitt invented the mercury rectifier, also known as the mercury arc rectifier, in 1902. This device was capable of converting alternating current power to direct current without mechanical means. It found widespread use in electric railways, industry, electroplating, and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission.
The Cooper Hewitt Electric Company:
In 1902, Hewitt co-founded the Cooper Hewitt Electric Company with George Westinghouse to manufacture and sell his new lamps. The company was very successful, and they expanded to England under the name "Westinghouse Cooper-Hewitt." They produced a range of electric equipment, including the Hewitt rectifier, Cooper Hewitt oscillator, and battery-operated locomotive headlamps.
Hydroplane Motorboat:
In 1907, Hewitt developed a small hydroplane motorboat based on the theory that reducing friction between a ship's hull and the water would increase speed and efficiency. This invention reflected his interest in automobiles and gliding craft.
Helicopter:
Hewitt received three patents to build a helicopter in 1915, and in 1920, he constructed a full-size working helicopter with engineer Francis B. Crocker. This helicopter had two counter-rotating blades and could support an additional 225 pounds. It was Hewitt's last major invention before his death in 1921.
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Peter Cooper's philanthropy
Peter Cooper Hewitt, born on 5 March 1861 in New York City, was an American electrical engineer, inventor, and scientist. He is known for inventing the mercury vapour lamp, which was widely used for street and outdoor lighting. Hewitt's lamp was a significant advancement in electrical lighting, addressing the inefficiencies of incandescent lamps used in the 1890s.
Now, focusing on Peter Cooper's philanthropy:
Peter Cooper, born on 12 February 1791 in New York City, was an American inventor, manufacturer, businessman, and philanthropist. He had a strong belief in the importance of education and founded the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in 1859. Cooper Union, located in New York City, was the nation's first free institution of higher learning. It offered courses in various fields, including general science, engineering, chemistry, and art and design. Cooper's vision was that education should be "as free as water and air", making knowledge accessible to all.
Cooper's philanthropy extended beyond education. He played a crucial role in technological progress, particularly in the field of locomotive engineering. He designed and built the engine for one of America's earliest steam locomotives, the "Tom Thumb". This locomotive proved the capabilities of steam-powered trains, demonstrating that they could pull a load at reasonable speeds, even on graded tracks. Cooper's inventions and contributions to the iron industry in New Jersey further fuelled technological advancements. In recognition of his achievements, he received the Bessemer Gold Medal from the Iron and Steel Institute of Great Britain.
In summary, Peter Cooper's philanthropy was characterised by his belief in the power of education and his desire to fuel technological and societal progress. Through his founding of Cooper Union, he made higher learning accessible to all, offering a range of courses that fostered innovation and creativity. His inventions, such as the "Tom Thumb" locomotive, advanced transportation, and his contributions to the iron industry in New Jersey were significant. Cooper's social initiatives, including his advocacy for improved public services, left a lasting impact on the community. His legacy continues to inspire, reminding us of the importance of knowledge, innovation, and giving back to society.
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Frequently asked questions
Peter Cooper was an American inventor, industrialist, and philanthropist. He founded The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City and built the "Tom Thumb" locomotive.
No, Peter Cooper did not invent the electric light. However, he did make significant contributions to the advancement of lighting technology. Peter Cooper Hewitt, his grandson, invented the mercury vapor lamp, which was widely used for street and outdoor lighting.
Peter Cooper Hewitt was a prolific inventor in his own right. In addition to the mercury vapor lamp, he invented the quartz-tube mercury lamp, which was extensively used in biological research. He also invented the mercury rectifier, a device for converting alternating current into direct current, and a radio receiver. Hewitt also co-founded the Cooper Hewitt Electric Company to manufacture and sell electric equipment, including the Hewitt rectifier, Cooper Hewitt oscillator, and battery-operated locomotive headlamps.
Peter Cooper designed and built the engine for one of America's earliest steam locomotives. He also invented a machine for shaping wheel hubs and patented a rotary steam engine. Cooper founded the nation's first free institution of higher learning, offering courses in general science, engineering, and art and design. He was a strong advocate for education and believed it should be freely accessible to all.
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