Rillieux, Norbert (1806–1894)

US engineer who invented a steam-based device (patented in 1843) to evaporate the juice of sugar cane to produce sugar. An improved version (patented in 1846) helped to increase sugar production in Louisiana and the West Indies; it is the basis of the vacuum pan evaporators used in many agricultural products processes to this day.

He enjoyed a modest profit from his invention and turned his attention to improving the sewage disposal system of New Orleans. But since he was still subjected to the discriminatory laws against African-Americans, in 1854 he went to Paris and took up a faculty post at L'Ecole Central and eventually became its headmaster. He continued to be a highly regarded engineer in France and Europe and in later years contributed to the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphics.

He was born in New Orleans, the son of a wealthy sugar plantation owner and one of his slaves. He was fully accepted by his father and given the educational, cultural, and material advantages of a white youth. He was sent to Paris to obtain an engineering degree and stayed on to teach at his college, L'Ecole Central. He was conveniently dropped from US history until in 1934 a plaque honouring his contribution was placed in the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans.