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The Inventive Spirit of Elijah McCoy
02/20/2017
Putting his engineering know-how to work, McCoy found a better way to oil the axles and bearings of trains. He automated the task by patenting a lubricating cup (above) to evenly distribute the oil, allowing the trains to operate for longer time periods.
Engineers may be some of the world’s greatest unsung heroes. Their inventions solve problems and improve quality of life, sometimes before anyone else knows there’s a need! As we honor Black History Month and National Engineers Week, let’s learn more about one of those imaginative engineers, Elijah McCoy.
- He greased the wheels for fellow engineers. Born in 1844 in Canada and raised in the U.S., McCoy trained as a mechanical engineer in Scotland. He returned to America after the Civil War, but couldn’t find work as an engineer and took a fireman/oilman position with the railroad. His job was to oil the axles and bearings of the train when it stopped to keep it running smoothly. Putting his engineering know-how to work, McCoy automated the task by patenting a lubricating cup to evenly distribute the oil, allowing the trains to operate for longer time periods.
- “The real McCoy” could be his catchphrase. There’s debate over the phrase’s origin, but some say it emerged after Elijah McCoy’s lubricating cup became popular in the railroad industry. As the story goes, similar products became available, but companies preferred the original device and demanded “the real McCoy” over others in the marketplace.
- He made household chores simpler. Though many of his patents and inventions focused on lubrication systems, McCoy created two devices that make today’s chores more tolerable. He invented a portable ironing board when his wife wanted an easier way to iron clothes. He also created the automatic lawn sprinkler when he wanted a faster, easier method to water his lawn.
McCoy’s imagination and perseverance throughout his life and career helped change the world.
Entergy employees have that inventive spirit, too. Learn more about how you can join us. You can also keep up with Entergy on LinkedIn.
Nicole Bradshaw
Manager, Digital and Social Media
