Temple, Lewis

1800-1854 · Contribution: 1848

Industrial & Mechanical

Toggle harpoon head for whaling

Industrial & Mechanical: collage image
Industrial & Mechanical

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Quick facts

Born
1800-1854
Active since
1848
Category
Industrial & Mechanical

Impact on the world

Temple's toggle harpoon was the single most important improvement in 19th-century whaling, transforming the productivity of an industry central to the American economy.

An alternative history

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Sources

  1. Source lookup

    National Park Service (New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park)

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