Abrar Khan
That's Elijah McCoy, the revolutionary Black inventor who was born 178 years ago today.
McCoy's parents escaped slavery in Kentucky on the Underground Railroad and settled in Canada, where they gave birth to their son in 1844.
At age 15, McCoy traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to study mechanical engineering.
Born: 2 May 1844, Colchester, Essex, Canada Died: 10 October 1929, Eloise Resting place: Detroit Memorial Park East in Warren, Michigan, U.S
Spouse: Mary Eleanor Delaney (m. 1873–1922), Ann Elizabeth Stewart (m. 1868–1872) Parents: Mildred McCoy, George McCoy Nationality: American, Canadian
Why is Elijah McCoy so important?
Elijah McCoy was a 19th century African American inventor best known for inventing lubrication devices used to make train travel more efficient.
What did Elijah McCoy invent?
Elijah McCoy received his first patent for an automatic lubricating device in 1872. Previously, engines had to be stopped before necessary lubrication could be applied.