Isaac Newton Lewis
Encyclopedia
Isaac Newton Lewis was an American
soldier and inventor. He was graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1884 and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Second Artillery. By successive promotions he rose to the rank of colonel in 1913, and was retired in that year for disability incurred in line of duty. He early made himself an authority on ordnance
and was sent to Europe
in 1900 to study that subject, his report resulting in the re-armament of the field artillery.
He created the Lewis Gun
, which was used in the First World War by the Allied armies, by the United States Navy, and the airplanes of the United States and Allies. Initially the United States Army was not interested in his new gun, but after the British
and French
had bought more than 100,000 for use in the trenches in France they did purchase them.
The royalties
amounting to at least $1,000,000 on guns made for the United States after it entered the War, were declined by him. His other inventions included a time-interval clock and bell system of signals, a replotting and relocating system for coast batteries, an automatic sight
, quick-reading mechanical verniers
for use in coast defenses, electric car lighting, and windmill electric lighting systems.
He was awarded the Franklin Institute
's Elliott Cresson Medal
in 1919.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier and inventor. He was graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1884 and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Second Artillery. By successive promotions he rose to the rank of colonel in 1913, and was retired in that year for disability incurred in line of duty. He early made himself an authority on ordnance
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
and was sent to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in 1900 to study that subject, his report resulting in the re-armament of the field artillery.
He created the Lewis Gun
Lewis Gun
The Lewis Gun is a World War I–era light machine gun of American design that was perfected and widely used by the British Empire. It was first used in combat in World War I, and continued in service with a number of armed forces through to the end of the Korean War...
, which was used in the First World War by the Allied armies, by the United States Navy, and the airplanes of the United States and Allies. Initially the United States Army was not interested in his new gun, but after the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
had bought more than 100,000 for use in the trenches in France they did purchase them.
The royalties
Royalties
Royalties are usage-based payments made by one party to another for the right to ongoing use of an asset, sometimes an intellectual property...
amounting to at least $1,000,000 on guns made for the United States after it entered the War, were declined by him. His other inventions included a time-interval clock and bell system of signals, a replotting and relocating system for coast batteries, an automatic sight
Sight (device)
A sight is a device used to assist aligning or aim weapons, surveying instruments, or other items by eye. Sights can be a simple set or system of markers that have to be aligned together as well as aligned with the target...
, quick-reading mechanical verniers
Vernier scale
A vernier scale is an additional scale which allows a distance or angle measurement to be read more precisely than directly reading a uniformly-divided straight or circular measurement scale...
for use in coast defenses, electric car lighting, and windmill electric lighting systems.
He was awarded the Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States, dating to 1824. The Institute also houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.-History:On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughn Merrick and...
's Elliott Cresson Medal
Elliott Cresson Medal
The Elliott Cresson Medal, also known as the Elliott Cresson Gold Medal, was the highest award given by the Franklin Institute. The award was established by Elliott Cresson, life member of the Franklin Institute, with $1,000 granted in 1848...
in 1919.
External links
- Biographical Sketch with portrait photo