Elijah McCoy was born Born free in Colchester, Ontario, Canada on May 2, 1844. He was educated in Scotland, and returned to the United States to pursue a career in his field of mechanical engineering
Elijah McCoy
Automatic Engine Lubricator
The schools in Upper Canada were segregated so when he was only 15 years old Elijah McCoy attended a black school of Colchester Township, he earned as a certificate as a mechanical engineer from Scotland.
Unfortunately the only job available to him at that time was that of a locomotive fireman/oilman for the Michigan Central Railroad and because of his training, he was able to identify and solve the problems of engine lubrication and overheating, Previously, engines had to be stopped before necessary lubrication could be applied. McCoy’s invention allowed engines to be lubricated while they ran, saving precious time and money.
Although he earned more than 50 patents, the most famous one was for a metal or glass cup that fed oil to bearings through a smallbore tube. Working as a fireman on the Michigan Central Railroad was what spanked the genius idea for his invention.
In 1872, Elijah invented a “lubricating cup” that would automatically drip oil when and where it was needed, while the train was still moving. Now, trains could run for long periods without stopping. Elijah’s invention was a great success with railroads across the country. It was also used in steam engines on ships.
So when you hear the phrase “Real McCoy?” That means you want the “real thing”—what you know to be of the highest quality, not an inferior imitation, just Elijah McCoy definitely was. We salute you!
Resources:
https://www.thefocus.news/culture/elijah-mccoy-inventions-list/
https://www.blackfacts.com/fact/elijah-mccoy-0
https://factfile.org/10-10-facts-about-elijah-mccoy
https://www.biography.com/inventor/elijah-mccoy
https://www.amazon.com/Library-Book-Aboard-Elijah-McCoys/dp/0887769454 – Kids Book
https://www.amzon.com/ELIJAH-SOFTCOVER-SINGLE-BEGINNING-BIOGRAPHIES/dp/0813657032 – Beginner Biography