Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy was a Black American inventor known for his lubrication systems for steam engines and over 50 patents.

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Profession :

Inventor

Birthday :

May 2, 1844

Death Date:

October 10, 1929

Age :

85

Elijah McCoy (1844-1929) was a Canadian-American engineer and inventor of African-American heritage. He gained recognition for developing lubrication systems for steam engines, with his most renowned invention being a cup that supplied lubricating oil to machine bearings via a small tube. This innovation transformed the railroad industry in 1872 when he devised a mechanism that automatically lubricated steam engines while in operation. Throughout his life, McCoy obtained over 50 patents for his various inventions. Some other notable accomplishments include his parents’ escape from slavery through the Underground Railroad, his engineering education in Scotland, and his significant impact on technical history as an African-American inventor.