Birth

Granville T. Woods (April 23, 1856 - January 30, 1910), born in Columbus, Ohio, was an African-American inventor. is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1910 (MCMX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Nickname: Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: , Country State Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Government  - Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area  - City  212. ... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Protestantism (chiefly Baptist and Methodist); Roman Catholicism; Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ... For other uses, see Inventor (disambiguation). ...

Background

Woods dedicated his life to developing a variety of inventions relating to the railroad industry. To some he was known as the "Black Edison," both being considered one of the great inventors of their time. Woods invented more than a dozen devices to improve electric railway cars and many more for controlling the flow of electricity. This is the top-level page of WikiProject trains Rail tracks Rail transport refers to the land transport of passengers and goods along railways or railroads. ... Electric redirects here. ...

Education/Training

Granville T. Woods literally learned his skills on the job. Attending school in Columbus until age 10 (to help his father in a machine shop that made speed equipment for carriages and repaired railroad equipment and machinery), he served an apprenticeship in a machine shop and learned the trades of machinist and blacksmith. Intrigued by the electricity that powered the machinery, Woods studied other machine workers as they attended to different pieces of equipment and paid other workers to sit down and explain electrical concepts to him. During his youth he was inspired by Lewis Latimer, and 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 was essential to developing critical skills that would allow him to express his creativity with machinery. A machinist is a craftsman who uses machine tools to make parts or alter parts by cutting away excess material. ... For other uses, see Blacksmith (disambiguation). ...

Early career

In 1872, Woods got a job as a fireman on the Danville and Southern Railroad in Missouri, eventually becoming an engineer. Surprisingly, it is unknown exactly where he attended school but it is believed it was an eastern college. He spent his spare time studying electronics. In 1874 Woods 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. Two years later he obtained employment with D&S Railroads, driving a steam locomotive. Unfortunately, despite his high aptitude and valuable education and expertise, Woods was denied opportunities and promotions because of the color of his skin. Out of frustration and a desire to promote his abilities, Woods, along with his brother Lyates, formed the Woods Railway Telegraph company in 1884. The company manufactured and sold telephone, telegraph and electrical equipment. Finally, his travels and experiences led him to settle in Cincinnati, Ohio. “Cincinnati” redirects here. ...

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External links

• MIT article on Granville Woods
• Book chapter in Rayvon Fouche, "Black Inventors in the Age of Segregation"
• [1] Granville Woods
• [2] and [3] Inventions
• [4] Granville T. Woods