Alexander Nikolayevich Lodygin was a Russian electrical engineer and inventor, one of inventors of the incandescent light bulb.
Background
Alexander Nikolayevich Lodygin was born in Stenshino village, Tambov Governorate (now Petrovsky District, Tambov oblast), Russian Federation. His parents were of a very old and noble family (descendants of Andrei Kobyla like Romanovs), but of very moderate means.
Education
Alexander Lodygin studied at the Tambov Cadet School (1859-1865). Then he served in the 71st Belev regiment, and in 1866-1868 studied at the Moscow Infantry School. Soon after graduation from his military school he retired from the military and worked as a worker at the Tula weapons factory.
Career
In 1875-1878 Alexander Nikolayevich participated in the populist movement. During his staying abroad he received several patents on incandescent bulbs. He was engaged in the development of aeronautics and other inventions. After the February Revolution Lodygin emigrated to United States. Because of health problems he declined a Soviet offer to work for their State Plan for Electrification of Russia (1918). He died in Brooklyn in New York.
Achievements
Connections
Alexander Nikolayevich Lodygin married the German reporter Alma Schmidt, the daughter of an electrical engineer.