Influential People in Apiculture

1 . Who is Rev. L.L. Langstroth, and what is he most known for?

Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth was an American apiarist, clergyman and teacher, and considered to be the father of American beekeeping. He created the modern day Langstroth hive and discovered bee space. He patented the moveable frame hive in 1852

2 . What is bee space?

A breakthrough discovery in beekeeping was made by a man called Lorenzo Langstroth. He discovered that bees would keep a ‘bee sized’ pathway clear within a hive. It was between 6 and 8mm wide (3/8th inch). He named the discovery ‘spazio di ape’ (or ‘bee space’ in English). This discovery was important because it led to the development of hives with movable frames of comb.

3 . What are the various hive types historically and currently in which bees have been kept?

Woven baskets, clay pots, horizontally placed clay pipe shaped hives, upside down straw basket (skep), top bar hive, Langstroth hive.

4 . Who was Charles Dadant?

Dadant was a French American beekeeper. Dadant is considered one of the founding fathers of modern beekeeping, started Dadant and sons in 1817-1902 and still exists as a supplier of bee equipment.

5 . Who was AI Root?

He founded the AI Root Company, which is known today as Root Candles. He started and wrote articles for the magazine, Gleanings in Bee Culture and in 1879 published ABC of Bee Culture which continues to be updated and revised to date. It’s current title is ABC XYZ of Bee Culture.

6 . What did C.L. Farrar discover about honey bees?

He discovered the principle that populous colonies are most efficient at hoarding honey.