OR

source:wikimedia.org
20 Dec, 1857
17 Dec, 1927
Natural causes
American
Businessman
69
Harvey Hubbell II, born in 1857 in Connecticut, was an American inventor, entrepreneur, and industrialist. The U.S. electrical plug, his most renowned invention, revolutionized the way we connect electrical devices to power outlets.
In the beginning of his career, Hubbell held managerial positions in manufacturing firms. Through this experience, he gained important understanding of production procedures and ignited his innovative mindset. Hubbell took a courageous leap in 1888, at the age of 31, to start his own company, Hubbell Incorporated, in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
In 1904, Harvey Hubbell made a significant impact by patenting the first detachable electric plug in the United States. The invention called the “Separable Attachment-Plug” transformed how electrical devices were linked to power outlets. Before Hubbell’s innovation, electrical equipment had to be directly wired to power outlets, causing inconvenience and potential hazards when relocating or changing them.
While the electrical plug is his most famous creation, Hubbell’s inventive mind produced many other innovations:
1. Pull-chain electrical light socket (1896): This invention allowed for easy control of electric lights.
2. Thread rolling machine: Still in use today, this industrial invention improved manufacturing processes.
3. Automatic tapping machines and progressive dies: These inventions enhanced factory efficiency.
Hubbell accumulated a minimum of 45 patents during his career, with the majority relating to electrical goods.
Hubbell’s innovations, especially the electrical socket, greatly influenced both homes and industries. His innovations enabled the popular use of portable electrical devices in the US, keeping up with advancements in countries like Great Britain.
Hubbell Incorporated, the company he established, still operates near Bridgeport. It shows Hubbell’s entrepreneurial spirit and the lasting relevance of his innovations.
Harvey Hubbell II died on December 17, 1927, leaving a lasting impact on how we use electricity. Through his life’s work, he shows how one individual’s ideas can significantly impact the daily lives of millions.
Harvey Hubbell
Harvey Hubbell
Male
Natural causes
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Logistician: Practical and fact-minded individuals, whose reliability cannot be doubted. Hubbell’s reputation was built on his methodical and practical approach, along with his innovative ideas and structured problem-solving methods.
Early plugs were two-pronged with detachable parts, a design that still influences modern plugs
He founded Hubbell Incorporated, still a leading name in electrical products
Hubbell’s electrical plug revolutionized home and workplace safety
He invented various devices for industrial safety
Known for innovations in industrial safety
Invented the first detachable plug in 1904, making electrical usage safer and easier
Held over 45 patents, many related to electrical connectors, outlets, and light sockets
Founded Hubbell Incorporated, an enduring electrical devices company