Black Canadian-American engineer/inventor Elijah McCoy (1844-1929), a free Black man, had fifty-seven US patents to his name. Most notably, he invented an automatic lubrication system for the steam engines of locomotives and ships that allowed the engines to run for longer periods of time. Previously, an engine's metal parts would over heat, so the engine had to be stopped, allowed to cool down and lubricated again before being put back into use. This was a huge waste of time, and money.
To be sure, there were similar mechanisms in wide use to address the problem of metal engine parts overheating. But, none of them worked as well as McCoy's. These lubricating systems were a boon for the railroads because they allowed trains to run faster without having to be stopped and cooled down. When railroad engineers wanted parts for lubricating their engines they would ask for
the"the real McCoy", no imitations, no substitutes. After a while, the phrase was shortened, buyers would just say, "I want the McCoy", when buying engine parts.
the"the real McCoy", no imitations, no substitutes. After a while, the phrase was shortened, buyers would just say, "I want the McCoy", when buying engine parts.
Now, when I was a kid growing up in the fifties and sixties the
phrase, "the real McCoy" was used commonly for the purchase of almost anything. You don't hear it much anymore. And, we were never taught about Elijah McCoy, or any accomplishments of other Black inventors either before, during or after slavery.
phrase, "the real McCoy" was used commonly for the purchase of almost anything. You don't hear it much anymore. And, we were never taught about Elijah McCoy, or any accomplishments of other Black inventors either before, during or after slavery.
Some of those other Black engineers and inventors from the last two hundred years include Lewis Latimer, who invented a carbon filament for Thomas Edison's light bulb, and prepared Alexander Graham Bell's US telephone patent application. There are now tons of websites and links if you're looking for any of the many inventions Blacks have patented.
Black women were no exception. Sarah Goode, inventor & entreprenuer, was the first African American woman to receive a US patent for her folding cabinet bed in 1885.
Black women were no exception. Sarah Goode, inventor & entreprenuer, was the first African American woman to receive a US patent for her folding cabinet bed in 1885.
So, if you work an afternoon or night shift, you can thank Elijah McCoy for his inventions that helped make America a 24 hour manufacturing giant. Thank Sarah Goode if you live in an aprtment or house with a bed that folds up into a cabinet. In addition, think of Lewis Latimer the next time you turn on a light. And, if you're driving through Ypsilanti, Michigan, see if you can find the historic marker for Elijah McCoy at his former home at 5720 Lincoln Avenue.
For more info go to, www.blackinventor.com
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