Granville T. Woods

"The Black Edison"

Electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, inventor. Born in Columbus, Ohio, he mastered the trades of machinist and blacksmith, and after working as a railroad fireman and engineer, Woods took college courses in electrical and rnechanical engineering from 1876 to 1878. He served as engineer on the British steamer Ironsides in 1878, and later settled in Cincinnati, Ohio.

His first patent was for a steam boiler furnace in 1884. He patented a telephone transmitter in 1885, which was bought by Bell Telephone, and Woods then founded the Woods Electric Company in New York City, which manufactured and sold telephone, telegraph, and electrical Instruments.

His most important invention was the induction telegraph system in 1887, a method of informing an engineer of trains immediately in front of and behind him, thus ensuring safer rail travel. Woods was challenged in court by the Edison and Phelps companies, who claimed priority for Thomas Edison. However, Woods eventually won the patent rights. Of the more than 60 patents that he registered, the majority were concerned with railroad telegraphs, electrical brakes, and electrical railway systems. Some referring to him as "The Black Edison" for his prolific inventive skills, he was widely known for his ingenious contributions.

Some of his better known contributions were in developing the "third rail" concept in mass-transit subway systems and developing the "trolley" system for trolley cars.

JUST A FEW OF WOODS' INVENTiONS.

* Steam Boiler Furnace

* Electric Railway

* Automatic Air Brake

* Telephone Transmitter

* Electromechanical Brake

* Railway Telegraphy

* Induction Telegraph system

* Overhead Conducting System for Electrified Railway.

* Tunnel Construction for Electric Railway.

* Galvanic Battery.

References:

W.A.Low, V.A.Clift, Encyclopedia of Black America.

M. Burt, Black Inventors of America.

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