LAMM, Emile, inventor, born in Ay, France, 24 November, 1834; died near Mandeville, Louisiana, 12 July, 1873. He was educated at the College royale in Metz, but came to the United States in 1848, and became a dentist, following his profession in Alexandria, Louisiana, until the civil war. Dr. Lamm served in the Confederate army under General Braxton Bragg during the war, and after its close resumed his practice in New Orleans. As a boy he showed decided mechanical ingenuity, and in 1869 devised an ammoniacal fireless engine for the propulsion of street-cars. The system was tested by street railway companies in New Orleans, New York, St. Louis, and other cities, with satisfactory results; but owing to Mr Lamm's premature death and unfortunate management on the part of the company that controlled the patent, the motor has not been put into practical operation in the United States. The system has been introduced in France and Germany, where it has been improved and perfected, so that at present (1887) it is extensively used for street-cars and vehicles. During his work on this invention he became impressed with the facility with which the vapor of water may be condensed, even at an elevated temperature, in water under high pressure; and pursuing his experiments, he produced another fireless engine, which he patented in 1872, and which is now In practical use. He also invented a method for the manufacture of sponge gold, for which he obtained a patent and a gold medal at the Mechanics' fair in New Orleans. This process is used largely by dentists throughout the United States. Dr. Lamm was a fellow of the New Orleans academy of sciences. He was drowned.