Temple, Lewis
1800-1854 · Contribution: 1848
Toggle harpoon head for whaling
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Impact on the world
His toggling harpoon design (the 'Temple toggle iron') dramatically improved the efficiency and safety of whale hunting and became standard equipment across the whaling industry.
Life & background
A blacksmith and abolitionist, Temple invented the toggling harpoon head, a design that allowed whalers to secure a catch far more reliably than earlier harpoons. Despite never patenting it, his design became the industry standard.
Sources
- BlackPast.org; National Park Service (New Bedford Whaling NHP); Smithsonian (National Museum of American History)
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