Diagram of the top view of Janney's coupler design as published in his patent application in 1873.

Eli H. Janney, also known as Eli Hamilton Janney or simply Eli Janney (November 12, 1831 – June 16, 1912), was the inventor of the modern knuckle coupler that replaced link and pin couplers on North American railroads. Download high resolution version (876x452, 51 KB)Diagram of a knuckle coupler designed by Eli H. Janney. ... Download high resolution version (876x452, 51 KB)Diagram of a knuckle coupler designed by Eli H. Janney. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... November 12 is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 49 days remaining. ... Leopold I 1831 (MDCCCXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Knuckle (AAR Type E) couplers in use. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ...

He was born in 1831 to Daniel Janney and Elizabeth Avis Haines in Loudoun County, Virginia. He married Cornelia Hamilton (1833-1889). He studied briefly at a seminary. Loudoun County, Virginia is part of the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area. ...

In the American Civil War, Janney achieved the rank of Major for the Confederate States of America. This article is becoming very long. ... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (traditional) The Bonnie Blue Flag (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Government Republic President...

After the war, he was a dry goods clerk in Alexandria, Virginia; he spent many of his lunches whittling his concept out of a block of wood for a replacement to the railroads' link and pin couplers that were in wide use. On April 1, 1873, Janney filed for a patent titled "Improvement in Car-Couplings" describing the knuckle style couplers that are in use on railroads today. He was awarded U.S. Patent 138,405  on April 29, 1873. Location in Virginia Coordinates: Country United States State Virginia Founded 1718 Mayor William D. Euille Area    - City 39. ... It has been suggested that April Fools Day be merged into this article or section. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... April 29 is the 119th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (120th in leap years). ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

He died on June 16, 1912 in Alexandria, Virginia. June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Location in Virginia Coordinates: Country United States State Virginia Founded 1718 Mayor William D. Euille Area    - City 39. ...

External link

• American Heritage

References

• CPRR.org (2004), Link and Pin Couplers; includes a scanned copy of the patent application. Retrieved March 31, 2005.
• Union Pacific Railroad, UP - Chronological History. Retrieved March 30, 2005.
• White, John H., Jr., (Spring 1986), America's most noteworthy railroaders, Railroad History, The Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, 154, p. 9-15.