Isaac Newton Lewis (October 12, 1858, New Salem, Pennsylvania – November 9, 1931, Hoboken, New Jersey) was an American soldier and inventor. He was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1884 and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Second Artillery.[1] By successive promotions he rose to the rank of colonel in 1913, and was retired in that year for disability incurred in line of duty.[1] He early made himself an authority on ordnance and was sent to Europe in 1900 to study that subject, his report resulting in the re-armament of the field artillery.
He created the Lewis Gun, which was used in the First World War by the Allied armies, by the United States Navy, and the airplanes of the United States and Allies. Initially the United States Army was not interested in his new gun, but after the British and French had bought more than 100,000 for use in the trenches in France they did purchase them.
The royalties amounting to at least $1,000,000 on guns made for the United States after it entered the War, were declined by him.[1] His other inventions included a time-interval clock and bell system of signals, a replotting and relocating system for coast batteries, an automatic sight, quick-reading mechanical verniers for use in coast defenses, electric car lighting, and windmill electric lighting systems.
He was awarded the Franklin Institute's Elliott Cresson Medal in 1919.
This article incorporates text from an edition of the New International Encyclopedia that is in the public domain.