About: Alexander Bonner Latta

Alexander Bonner Latta (June 11, 1821 – April 28, 1865) was an American manufacturer and inventor. He specialized in engines that used steam for power. He designed railroad steam locomotives and directed the construction of the first such locomotive built west of the Alleghany Mountains. An unusual train locomotive design he innovated was one that had an additional set of cylinders that utilized steam exhaust for more power. He designed and constructed the first efficiently working steam fire engine to be routinely used as a part of a city's fire-fighting equipment. The fire engine was first adopted by Cincinnati, Boston, and New York City. He invented a self-propelled steam-engine fire engine.