Peter Cooper Hewitt (May 5, 1861 - August 25, 1921) was an American electrical engineer and inventor. In 1902 Hewitt developed the first mercury arc rectifier, which was an efficient way of converting alternating current power to direct current for use in electric railways, industry, and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission. In 1907 he developed and tested an early hydrofoil. His interest in aeronautics culminated in the construction of an early helicopter in 1918. He died in 1921 at the age of 60.