BLACK INVENTORS
Elijah McCoy (1843 - 1929)
Every heard the term "The Real McCoy?" It originated when Elijah McCoy invented a device that allowed machines to be oiled while running. People buying these machines insisted on McCoy lubrication systems. Hence the term, "The Real McCoy."
Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario in 1843. His parents were escaped slaves who had left Kentucky to come to Canada by way of the Underground Railroad. While Elijah was still young, the family returned to the US and settled in Michigan, where Elijah's father worked in a logging camp.
Elijah attended elementary school in Michigan. When he was fifteen, his parents used their savings to send him to Edinburgh, Scotland. There, he served as an apprentice in mechanical engineering. Upon returning to the US, he could not find work as an engineer. He found work as a fireman for the Michigan Central Railroad. The job involved oiling the moving parts of the train. It was on this job that Elijah researched and worked on his lubricating device. He acquired his first patent in 1872. His invention was reliable and literally revolutionized the railway industry. It was also used on continuously running machines in factories. Elijah founded the McCoy Manufacturing Company in Detroit, from which he sold his invention.
Elijah was awarded over 57 patents in his lifetime. By 1923, he was known world-wide. His inventions were patented in Canada, the United States, Britain, Russia, France and Austria.
Benjamin Banniker (1731 - 1806)
Benjamin Banniker was born on November 9, 1731, in Ellicotts Mills, Maryland. At the time the law stated that if your mother was a free woman, you were not a slave. Though Benjamin's father was a slave, the law regarded him as a free man.
Benjamin was educated by Quakers. It was soon discovered that he possessed a talent for inventing small gadgets. Benjamin continued to hone this talent into adulthood and won national acclaim for his work in the 1791 survey of the Federal Territory, which is now Washington, DC. Benjamin invented a wooden pocket watch in 1753. It was the first watch to be made in America.
In 1773, Benjamin began to make astronomical calculations. He forecast the 1789 solar eclipse well in advance of the event. His prediction contradicted that of well-known astronomers.
Benjamin's talents impressed many, one of which was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson recommended Benjamin for the surveying team that laid out Washington, DC.
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