Blacks invented despite the odds -- Part 5

Granville T. Woods turned down lucrative offers from Thomas Edison.
Because of his inventiveness, Woods is known as "the Black Edison."

Note: This is the fifth of a seven-part series on black inventors in honor of Black History Month.

By Craig T. Greenlee

When the railroads began to emerge as the America's major mode of transportation, the safety factor was a major concern. It wasn't uncommon for trains to crash into one another on the tracks. There was no existing system that could prevent such mishaps.

Granville T. Woods had the answer -- an induction telegraph.

Rail car collisions decreased drastically thanks to the induction telegraph. Because of Woods' innovation, rail dispatchers were able to determine the position of any train on its route while it was in motion. The telegraph could also be used to send and receive messages while the train was in motion with as many as 200 operators using the same line.

Won all legal challenges regarding his patent

Woods, an electrical engineer, had the patent for his device in 1887, but not without challenges. Three patent suits were brought against Woods, two of which were filed by Thomas Edison, who credited with inventing the light bulb. In all three law suits, however, Woods -- referred to by journalists of the day as the "Black Edison" -- was declared the original inventor.

Edison respected Woods's ingenuity enough to make him a series of generous offers. He first proposed buying his black counterpart's electrical company. There were also offers for Woods to take a lucrative position with an Edison company -- and even a partnership. Woods declined all offers.

Bell buys device from Woods

Prior to the telegraph, Woods displayed to the engineering and scientific communities that his ideas were feasible and profitable. Alexander Graham Bell thought so in 1884 when he purchased an improved telephone transmitter from Woods. The transmitter combined the phone and telegraph, meaning it could be used for voice of Morse Code transmission.

By 1900, Woods was nationally renowned as an electrical genius. He patented over 60 inventions, many of which were responsible for converting city 
transit systems from steam power to electricity. His devices were purchased by such industrial giants as General Electric, Westinghouse and Bell Telephone.


Next: The genius of Garrett A. Morgan

Part 3 -- Norbert Rillieux brought major changes to sugar refining

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