Who was Elijah McCoy

Abrar Khan

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That's Elijah McCoy, the revolutionary Black inventor who was born 178 years ago today.

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McCoy's parents escaped slavery in Kentucky on the Underground Railroad and settled in Canada, where they gave birth to their son in 1844.

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At age 15, McCoy traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to study mechanical engineering.

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Born: 2 May 1844, Colchester, Essex, Canada Died: 10 October 1929, Eloise Resting place: Detroit Memorial Park East in Warren, Michigan, U.S

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Spouse: Mary Eleanor Delaney (m. 1873–1922), Ann Elizabeth Stewart (m. 1868–1872) Parents: Mildred McCoy, George McCoy Nationality: American, Canadian

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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.

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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.