Granville T. Woods (April 23, 1856 - January 30, 1910) was known to
some as the "Black Edison". An African-American inventor, he held
more than 60 patents. Most of his work was on trains and street cars.
Woods also invented the Multiplex Telegraph, a device that sent messages
between train stations and moving trains. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on
April 23, 1856, Granville T. Woods dedicated his life to developing a
variety of inventions relating to the railroad industry. He died January
30, 1910 at age 53 in New York City, New York.
Granville T. Woods literally learned his skills on the job. Attending
school in Columbus (OH) until age 10, he served an apprenticeship in a
machine shop and learned the trades of machinist and blacksmith.
During his youth he also went to night school and took private lessons.
Although he had to leave formal school at age ten, Woods realized that
learning and education were essential to developing critical skills that
would allow him to express his creativity with machinery.
In 1872, Woods obtained a job as a fireman on the Danville and Southern
Railroad in Nebraska, eventually becoming an engineer. He invested his
spare time in studying electronics. In 1874, he moved to Springfield,
Illinois, and worked in a rolling mill. In 1878, he took a job aboard the
Ironsides, a British steamer, and, within two years, became Chief
Engineer of the steamer. Finally, his travels and experiences led him to
settle in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became dedicated to modernizing the
railroad.
In 1888, Granville T Woods developed a system for overhead electric
conducting lines for railroads, which aided in the development of the
overhead railroad system found in cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, and
New York City. In his early thirties, he became interested in thermal
power and steam-driven engines. In 1889, he filed his first patent for an
improved steam-boiler furnace. In 1892, a complete Electric Railway
System was operated at Coney Island, NY. In 1887, he patented the
Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph, which allowed
communications between train stations from moving trains. Granville T
Woods' invention made it possible for trains to communicate with the
station and with other trains so they knew exactly where they were at all
times.
Alexander Graham Bell's company purchased the rights to Granville T
Woods' telegraphony patent enabling him to become a full-time inventor.
Among his other top inventions were a steam boiler furnace and an
automatic air brake used to slow or stop trains. Wood's electric car was
powered by overhead wires. It was the third rail system to keep cars
running on the right track.
Source (data): about.com en.wikipedia.org
Source (photo): about.com
some as the "Black Edison". An African-American inventor, he held
more than 60 patents. Most of his work was on trains and street cars.
Woods also invented the Multiplex Telegraph, a device that sent messages
between train stations and moving trains. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on
April 23, 1856, Granville T. Woods dedicated his life to developing a
variety of inventions relating to the railroad industry. He died January
30, 1910 at age 53 in New York City, New York.
Granville T. Woods literally learned his skills on the job. Attending
school in Columbus (OH) until age 10, he served an apprenticeship in a
machine shop and learned the trades of machinist and blacksmith.
During his youth he also went to night school and took private lessons.
Although he had to leave formal school at age ten, Woods realized that
learning and education were essential to developing critical skills that
would allow him to express his creativity with machinery.
In 1872, Woods obtained a job as a fireman on the Danville and Southern
Railroad in Nebraska, eventually becoming an engineer. He invested his
spare time in studying electronics. In 1874, he moved to Springfield,
Illinois, and worked in a rolling mill. In 1878, he took a job aboard the
Ironsides, a British steamer, and, within two years, became Chief
Engineer of the steamer. Finally, his travels and experiences led him to
settle in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became dedicated to modernizing the
railroad.
In 1888, Granville T Woods developed a system for overhead electric
conducting lines for railroads, which aided in the development of the
overhead railroad system found in cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, and
New York City. In his early thirties, he became interested in thermal
power and steam-driven engines. In 1889, he filed his first patent for an
improved steam-boiler furnace. In 1892, a complete Electric Railway
System was operated at Coney Island, NY. In 1887, he patented the
Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph, which allowed
communications between train stations from moving trains. Granville T
Woods' invention made it possible for trains to communicate with the
station and with other trains so they knew exactly where they were at all
times.
Alexander Graham Bell's company purchased the rights to Granville T
Woods' telegraphony patent enabling him to become a full-time inventor.
Among his other top inventions were a steam boiler furnace and an
automatic air brake used to slow or stop trains. Wood's electric car was
powered by overhead wires. It was the third rail system to keep cars
running on the right track.
Source (data): about.com en.wikipedia.org
Source (photo): about.com
AGC Did You Know?
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Posted March 2012