The Economic Times

In 1874, an African-American inventor designed an improved bathroom system for trains: How Lewis Howard Latimer along with Charles W. Brown changed railroad travel with a safer water closet patent?

In 1874, an African-American inventor designed an improved bathroom system for trains through a patent filed by Lewis Howard Latimer and Charles W. Brown. The invention introduced a safer railroad car bathroom that reduced dust, wind, and debris entering train coaches. The patent became one of Latimer's early inventions before his later work in electric lighting. His life also reflected service, innovation, and determination despite difficult beginnings.