Van Depoele, Charles Joseph, 1846-1892.
Charles Van Depoele papers, 1877-1946 (bulk 1877-1892).
The Charles Van Depoele papers collect his work as an inventor of electrical machines, light bulbs, drills for mining, and trolley motive power equipment. Patents and patent drawings supplemented by catalogues, business cards, and advertisements document his inventions. Business and legal records from Van Depoele Laboratory and Thomson-Houston Electric Company include correspondence, clippings, contracts, receipts, checks, and legal documents. Biographical material includes correspondence, clippings, a portion of a book, and personal legal documents. Boxes 2-4 contain a collection of 60 photographs that show some of his inventions in use at several work sites and cities throughout the United States and Canada. The bulk of the collection dates from Van Depoeles active work life from 1877 to his death in 1892, with additional estate papers from 1892-1918, and biographical material dating from 1937 and 1946.
Inventor of electrical machines, light bulbs, drills for mining, and trolley motive power equipment, Van Depoele was born in Belgium and came to America in 1869. He was trained to be a wood sculptor and cabinet maker, but was interested in electricity and developed several electric power companies in Detroit, Mich., and Chicago, Ill. In later life he was associated with Thomson-Houston (later General Electric) of Lynn, Mass.
Van Depoele, Charles J., 1846-1892.
Thomson-Houston Company.
Electric lighting.
Electric machinery.
Electric power.
Electricity in mining.
Street-railroads.
Professions.
Inventors.
Consultants.
Chicago (Ill.) -- Industries.
Detroit (Mich.) -- Industries.
Lynn (Mass.) -- Industries.
Photographic prints. ftamc
Patents lcgft
AIP-ICOS
Harvard University. Baker Library, Harvard Business School, Manuscript Division, Soldiers Field, Boston, MA 02163, USA.