Lewis Temple, a 19th-century Blacksmith in New Bedford, Massachusetts, invented the toggle harpoon that revolutionized American whaling. Though he never patented it, his design became the industry standard. This episode dives into the life of the man who reshaped maritime hunting—without ever leaving the dock. Key Themes: • Maritime innovation • Black inventors in early America • Whaling industry history • Patent exclusion and forgotten legacy Recommended Reading: • Temple’s Toggle: Innovation and Injustice in New Bedford (Whaling Museum Archives) • New Bedford Historical Society – Lewis Temple Exhibits • Smithsonian Maritime Collections
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