Name/Title
General Electric Company Legal Department Group Portrait (1894)Description
A copy print of a black-and-white photograph of seven individuals from the General Electric Company's Experts Office, Legal Department, taken in December 1894 in their office at 44 Broad Street in lower Manhattan. The group consists of men and women dressed in formal late 19th-century attire, standing and seated in front of a building. Lewis H. Latimer, noted as a draughtsman, is among them. The handwritten inscription on the front identifies the setting and date, while the back of the photograph lists the names and roles of those pictured.Context
This photograph captures members of the General Electric Company’s legal and technical staff in the late 19th century, a time when the company was at the forefront of electrical innovation. Lewis H. Latimer, an African American inventor and engineer, played a crucial role in the development of electric lighting and was a key figure in drafting patents for the incandescent light bulb. His work at General Electric placed him among notable inventors and experts in electrical engineering. The inclusion of women in the office setting also reflects the gradual integration of women into technical and administrative roles during this period.Collection
Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]Inscription/Signature/Marks
Transcription
Front of the photograph:
Caption: "Expert’s Office. Legal Department. Gen. Electric Company. Dec. 1894. Harrison, N.Y."
Back of the photograph:
W.H. Hamman Clerk
W.J. Jones Electrical Expert
Chas Wills
L.H. Latimer, Draughtsman
E.W. Hammans Clerk & Electrician
Miss J. Gibney T.W.
Mrs. R. Platt T.W.
