Topic: Lewis Latimer

The Cartoon Network released a series of educational shorts focused on Black history, including a segment on inventor Lewis Latimer. The short argues that Latimer, not Thomas Edison, is more rightfully credited with the light bulb due to his invention of the carbon filament. Critics argue that the series uses "social justice warrior" narratives to influence children and present an incomplete view of history.

Joe Biden recently claimed that a Black man, not Thomas Edison, invented the light bulb. While Lewis Latimer, a Black inventor, did patent a significant improvement to the carbon filament, Edison held the original patent for the light bulb itself a year prior. Latimer eventually worked for Edison's company, and while his contributions were vital, the claim that he was the sole inventor is historically inaccurate.