Granville T. Woods Essay, Research Paper
African-American inventors have gotten little recognition for their accomplishments. Indeed, it was hard to find information to even write a small report on a single one of them. However, although their names might not be as household as Thomas Edison, that does no mean that African-American inventors have not played just as important of a role in technology in America. Although we might not be able to name any African-American inventors off the top of our heads, we use their inventions everyday and not even realize it. The last time you took a train, were you worried about it derailing, or not stopping? You could thank Granville T. Woods for that. He invented the air brake for trains, the standard emergency break used today.
Granville T. Woods was born on April 23, 1856 in Columbus Ohio. His parents were freed slaves and Woods himself only attended school until the age of 10. Although he stopped formal education at such a young age, Mr. Woods began to work on the railroad and study electronics. Much of his knowledge came directly from on-the-job training. He attended night school and took privet lessons in his teens to make up for the many years of lost education. In 1872 at the age of 16, Woods became a fireman on the Danville and Southern Railroad in Missouri. There, he developed a passion for trains and dreamed of becoming a railroad engineer himself. Indeed, his love of trains is what fueled many of his inventions. He moved around a lot in the next few years. In 1876 he worked part time in a machine shop in Springfield, Illinois. It was here that he began to take engineering courses in an eastern college. He took a job an engineer in 1878 aboard the Ironsides, a British Steamer, within two years he became the chief Engineer of the steamer. However, despite all of his experience and of his skin color, he never got far in these jobs. He decided to settle back in Ohio.
It was back in Cincinnati that Mr. Woods began inventing. In 1880, shortly after settling in Cincinnati, Mr. Woods established his own shop. Woods first patent was for an invention that had to do with one of his great loves, trains. It was on improved steam boiler furnace. It was in this shop that Mr. Woods became one of the most prolific inventors of the 19th century. He had registered over 60 patents in his lifetime and was sometimes referred to as The Black Edison .
Regarded as one of Woods greatest invention was the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph (1887). This was the most primitive form of the radio system used in trains today. Before this invention, there was no way for a dispatcher to be able to determine the location of a train and so accidents were frequent. This invention allowed for communication between the train and the dispatcher so that train accidents became less frequent. This invention used the principle of electromagnetic induction. The magnetic field produced from electric current running through the wire produced a signal that was traceable from the dispatcher s office. When the trains moved the magnetic field moved with it, this allowed for the tracking of all trains.
Some of his more notable inventions include the development of the third-rail system used in subways today and the development of the trolley system for trolley cars. Most of Mr. Woods 60 patents had to do with railroad telegraphs, electrical breaks, and electrical railways systems. Some of his patents include the Steam Boiler Furnace, Electric Railway, Automatic Air Brake, Telephone Transmitter, Induction Telegraph System, Overhead Conducting for Electrified Railway, Tunnel Construction for Electric railway, and the Galvanic Battery.
Unlike so many African-American inventors of the 19th century, Mr. Woods was actually praised for his work within his own lifetime. The January 14, 1866 edition of The Catholic Tribune said Granville T. Woods, the greatest colored inventor in the history of the race, and equal, if not superior, to any inventor in this country, is destined to revolutionize the mode of the street car transit. Mr. Woods broke through racial and educational barriers to become one of the most notable inventors of the 1800 s. He was notable not only after his death, but during his own lifetime. An accomplishment for any inventor made even greater through his struggle.
Bibliography
1. African-American Inventors & Inventions: Granville T. Woods- Prolific Inventor
(inventions/culture/african/gtwoods.html
2. Facts of Science: African Americans in the Sciences
(lib.lsu.edu/lib/chem/display/woods.html)
Другие работы по теме:
Macbeth Essay Research Paper MacbethIf it hadn
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth If it hadn’t been for the three witches, Macbeth would never have killed Duncan nor Banquo. Macbeth, also would not have been killed my Macduff. The three witches are the
Antonin Scalia Essay Research Paper Supreme Court
Antonin Scalia Essay, Research Paper Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was born on March 11, 1936 in Trenton, New Jersey to a Sicilian immigrant father and an Italian-American mother and was raised in Queens. He attended Catholic schools in New York City as a child and teen. Scalia then attended Georgetown University, spending his junior year at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, and graduated at the top of his class with an A.B. (Sorry, I don?t know what that means) in 1957.
TaySach Disease Essay Research Paper TaySach Disease
Tay-Sach Disease Essay, Research Paper Tay-Sach Disease A Tragic Genetic Disease Christine Woods-Sosso What is Tay-Sachs disease? Tay-Sach disease is a tragic inheritied birth defect, that eventually kills the person with it. The symptoms appear around the age of 6 months in what seems to be a healthy baby.
Christabel Essay Research Paper The poem is
Christabel Essay, Research Paper The poem is the beginning of a tale about a demon or vampire. At the opening, it is midnight. Everyone is asleep except for Christabel, who is roaming the woods longing for her lover. She encounters a beautiful lady who had been kidnapped by five warriors, tied to a white horse, and brought to the oak tree.
The Haunted Trail Essay Research Paper Legends
The Haunted Trail Essay, Research Paper Legends The Haunted Trail Well, there was once like fifteen or twen’y years ago this kid, right. An’ this kid was like all f***ed up on like ?shrooms an’ acid an’ stuff. Kinda like ______. (Laughter) Anyway this night he got inna fight with his parents, an’ he like skitzed out an’ went nuts an’ ran out the back door of the house.
The Lazarus Plot Essay Research Paper Me
The Lazarus Plot Essay, Research Paper Me and my brother Frank are decideing to take a well deserved vacation to the north maine mountians when we got there frank stayed at the camp site setting up camp while i went for a walk through the woods but then to my surprise i saw my girlfriend which was supposed to have died when some terrorist had dropped a bomb on her car i tryed to run ‘owards her but she ran back into the woods so i went back to camp and explained the situation to Frank even though Frank didnt beleive me he went with me into the woods that i had last seen my girlfreind Iola as we went deeper into the woods we were suddenly shot at and were just able to hide behind a tree to escape the bullets after the shooting was over we decided to continue after the people who had fired at us when we caught up with them they were standing around so we jumped into action and made the
Saw Wheat Owl Essay Research Paper The
Saw Wheat Owl Essay, Research Paper The saw whet is rarely heard at night, unless it is during mating season. During it?s mating season it can be heard easily from the woods. It?s breeding season in between March and April. Usually the nest in is a hollow tree. Decayed wood fibre matted with owl?s feathers is supplemented with a small quantity of soft, dry grass.
Analysis Of Frost
’s “A Road Not Taken” Essay, Research Paper Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken” is, at first look, Frost’s wistful memory of coming to two roads while walking in the woods and having to choose one of
Robert Frost 2
Robert Frost – Nature In His Poetry Essay, Research Paper Robert frost has many themes in his poetry. One of the main themes that is always repeated, is nature. He always discusses how beautiful nature is or how distructive it can be. Frost always discusses nature in his poems. First, in the poem ?Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening? there is a lot of nature expresses.
The Woods Essay Research Paper The WoodsAbout
The Woods Essay, Research Paper The Woods About four years ago I went to Phelps, Wisconsin with my friend, Tim, and his mom to visit his grandfather. We quickly found out that there was not much to do in Phelps. The nearest grocery store was thirty minutes away. The only thing to do in town was to go fishing and because we did not have a boat our fishing was very limited.
Mountains Essay Research Paper Living by the
Mountains Essay, Research Paper Living by the Mountains If I could choose where I would live, I would live by the mountains. All my life I have been taught to be appreciative of the woods and nature. My love to be in the mountains is partly because of my love of snow. This has given me the passion for the outdoors that I know today.
Hunting Is Bad Essay Research Paper A
Hunting Is Bad Essay, Research Paper A hunter walks through the woods, stalking an unsuspecting deer…Bang! The deer is dead. The hunter walks away feeling good about himself, and happy that he got a deer. Some people think this is wrong. They think that you should not kill animals for sport. It is important that hunting does not become extinct.
One Scary Night Essay Research Paper The
One Scary Night Essay, Research Paper The One Scary Night Once upon a time there was a girl and a boy that lived in a small town of Roughville. They were best friends. They did every thing together sleep, eat, just everything. There were about 700 people in the Roughville. Most of which were hard workers in the town next to Roughville.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper In Macbeth I
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper In Macbeth, I believe the story would have been completely different. Why? If it hadn?t been for the three witches, Macbeth would never have killed Duncan nor Banquo.
Come In Explication Essay Research Paper Come
Come In Explication Essay, Research Paper Come In by Robert Frost Robert Frost is a well known American poet often associated with beautiful scenes from the New England area. However, the deeper meanings of his poems is often
Walden By Henry David Thoreau 1817
– 1862) Essay, Research Paper Walden, or, Life in the Woods, is a superbly written, imaginative and detailed account. The journal offers an introspective
Fairy Tale Essay Research Paper TitleFairy Tale
Fairy Tale Essay, Research Paper Title Fairy Tale Author Alice Thomas Ellis Viking, 1996 Eloise: bored and wants someone to appreciate the value of her work and she wants a baby. She makes night-dresses and petticoats for a shop in town. She considers men to be brainless and only good for one thing. Simon and she moved into the woods because she got a lot of money from Max (Clare’s ex-husband).
THE HOLY LAND Essay Research Paper The
THE HOLY LAND Essay, Research Paper The Holy Land Directly off of Granville St., Sunlight filtrates through the speckled backboards, And the dull orange rims smile to show their gleaming
Big Red Essay Research Paper I read
Big Red Essay, Research Paper I read the book Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard. It is a realistic fiction about a boy named Danny who lives with his dad way out in the woods. He gets a champion Irish Setter named Big Red and calls him Red. They go hunting a lot and Danny really loves Red.Big Red would make a good movie because it’s really interesting and there’s lots of action that happens.
Cry Freedom Essay Research Paper Cry Freedom
Cry Freedom Essay, Research Paper Cry Freedom Summer in Texas, you re stretched out on a big blanket in the middle of Coca-Cola starplex. On the stage Dave Matthew s and the Band are rocking out. The next song on the set is a song called cry freedom. You sit on the blanket and listen to the words. Who is he sing about? you wonder to yourself.
Poems By Robert Frost And Leonard Cohen
Essay, Research Paper Have you ever wondered what makes two places the same, but in two totally different areas? Throughout the poems Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, and The Bus by Leonard Cohen, there are many similarities that take place. These similarities are the life in cities and towns, the escape into nature, and the consequences of such escapes.
Crucible Essay Research Paper The Crucible
Crucible Essay, Research Paper The Crucible The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It begins with a sense of witchcraft in the air, when we find out that Reverend Parris (the town minister) and the town are
Symbolism In Hawthorn
’s “Young Goodman Brown” Essay, Research Paper Jessie Reed English 253 September 19, 2001 Symbolism in “Young Goodman Brown” Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown” is full of symbolism throughout the story. Perhaps the most interesting examples of symbolism include the title character, Young Goodman Brown, as well as his wife, Faith, and the woods that Young Goodman Brown enters on his journey.
Poetry Explication Stopping By Woods On A
Snowy Evening Robert Frost Essay, Research Paper Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Robert Frost s poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is about a man who is riding through the woods on horseback. Snow starts falling and the man is caught up in the beauty of the scene. He then ponders staying put and enjoying the view for a while.
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Essay, Research Paper Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening There are many things to look at when one tries to analyze a poem. Once he/she knows what the story is about, they could look at the speaker’s point of view, along with many other things. For Example: setting, language, figures of speech, symbols, atmosphere and mood, characterization, theme and conflicts are just some of the other methods that could be used.
Is Tiger That Great Essay Research Paper
There has been a vast amount of media exposure on Tiger Woods. The media made Tiger Woods out to be some sort of golf god that nobody could beat and he was totally reshaping the way the game was played. We did not believe that that Tiger Woods was really as good as the media said he was.
Tiger Woods Essay Research Paper Tiger WoodsThroughout
Tiger Woods Essay, Research Paper Tiger Woods Throughout the history of golf there have been many great golfers but none as dominant as Tiger Woods. Because of his tournament wins, hard work, dedication and the revolutionizing of his sport, it is clear that Tiger Woods has become the greatest golfer of all time.
Tiger Essay Research Paper TigerOn December 30
Tiger Essay, Research Paper Tiger On December 30, 1975, a star was born. Eldrick Tiger Woods grew up in Cypress, CA, 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Before he was a year old, golf had already grabbed him. At the age of six months, he watched and imitated his father, Earl Woods, hit golf balls into a net. When he was the young age of two, he was featured on The Mike Douglas Show hitting and putting with Bob Hope.
Etta Johnson Essay Research Paper The male
Etta Johnson Essay, Research Paper The male versus female power struggle between two character in “Etta johnson,” an excerpt from gloria naylor’s novel The Woman of brewster place: A novel in seven stories illustrates the conflict of character’s expectration. Both etta mae johnson and Rev. morelond woods want different futeres for thier relationship. etta johnson is looking for a long term relationship that involes marriage.
Etta Johnson By Naylor Essay Research Paper
The male versus female power struggle between two character in "Etta johnson," an excerpt from gloria naylor’s novel The Woman of brewster place: A novel in seven stories illustrates the conflict of character’s
Stopping By Woods On Snowy Evening By
Frost Essay, Research Paper In "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," we have a man who stops in the woods to watch the snow fall. The speaker finds these woods to escape from
Tiger Woods Essay Research Paper Biography of
Tiger Woods Essay, Research Paper Biography of Tiger Woods “Let your clubs speak for you.” Tiger Woods was too young to notice the racism around him. He didn’t understand that in this world, people were judged by the color of their skin. He couldn’t speak out about it; he couldn’t voice his opinions, or come up with possible solutions because he was too young.
VIOLENCE IN SPORTS Essay Research Paper Violence
VIOLENCE IN SPORTS Essay, Research Paper Violence in sports To: Mrs. Woods From: Jean-Philippe Do you think there?s a connection between sports and violence? If you do, do you think it should be banned? I too think that it?s connected but, unlike most people, don?t think it should be banned. I have many reasons to believe so and I will state them in my essay.