Happy Birthday Granville T. Woods

“I believe I can do anything if i just try” - Granville T. Woods

(Granville T. Woods)

Granville T. Woods was born on April 23rd, 1856 in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Woods went to school up until 10 years old due to his family needing him to work due to poverty. He served an apprenticeship in a machine shop and learned the trades of machinist and blacksmith. In 1872 Woods obtained a job as a fireman in Missouri. In 1876 he moved to Springfield, IL. He studied mechanical and electrical engineering in college from 1876-1878. In 1878 Woods worked on a steam ship and became engineer of the ship in 1880. He then moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1880. He established his business, Woods Electric Co., as an electrical engineer and an inventor.

(Woods in the 1880’s)

He patented the multiplex telegraph. In 1885 Woods patented an apparatus which was a combination of a telephone and a telegraph. In 1887 Woods patented the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph. Thomas Edison tried to take claim to Woods’ patent. In 1888 Woods manufactured a system of overhead electric conducting lines for railroads. In 1889 Woods filed a patent for an improvement to the steam boiler furnace. In 1892 he moved the business to New York City,NY.

(A drawing of Woods)

His brother Lyates Woods joined his business. Woods developed several improvements to the railroad system in the US. Thomas Edison offered Woods a position in his company after several failed attempts to claim Woods’ patents. Woods rejected the offer. In 1901 Woods patented a third rail system. In total Woods held patents for over 50 inventions. On January 30th, 1910 Granville T. Woods died in New York City, New York, USA. He was 53 years old.

(Woods’ Gravestone)

Today is his 161st birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Granville T. Woods.

Anniversary of Granville T. Woods' Death

“I believe I can do anything if i just try” - Granville T. Woods

(Granville T. Woods)

Granville T. Woods was born on April 23rd, 1856 in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Woods went to school up until 10 years old due to his family needing him to work due to poverty. He served an apprenticeship in a machine shop and learned the trades of machinist and blacksmith. In 1872 Woods obtained a job as a fireman in Missouri. In 1876 he moved to Springfield, IL. He studied mechanical and electrical engineering in college from 1876-1878. In 1878 Woods worked on a steam ship and became engineer of the ship in 1880. He then moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1880. He established his business, Woods Electric Co., as an electrical engineer and an inventor.

(Woods in the 1880’s)

He patented the multiplex telegraph. In 1885 Woods patented an apparatus which was a combination of a telephone and a telegraph. In 1887 Woods patented the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph. Thomas Edison tried to take claim to Woods’ patent. In 1888 Woods manufactured a system of overhead electric conducting lines for railroads. In 1889 Woods filed a patent for an improvement to the steam boiler furnace. In 1892 he moved the business to New York City,NY.

(A drawing of Woods)

His brother Lyates Woods joined his business. Woods developed several improvements to the railroad system in the US. Thomas Edison offered Woods a position in his company after several failed attempts to claim Woods’ patents. Woods rejected the offer. In 1901 Woods patented a third rail system. In total Woods held patents for over 50 inventions. On January 30th, 1910 Granville T. Woods died in New York City, New York, USA. He was 53 years old.

(Woods’ Gravestone)

Today is the 107th anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great inventor today.

Anniversary of George Washington Carver's Death

“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom” - George Washington Carver

(George Washington Carver)

George Washington Carver was born on an unknown date in 1864 in Diamond, Missouri, USA. He was born into slavery. As a baby Carver and his sister and mother were kidnapped by night raiders. Only Carver was found and was returned to his master. After slavery was abolished Carver stayed with his master and was raised by him. He was taught by his master’s wife to read and write. He went to school 10 miles away from where he lived. At 13 years old he moved to Kansas. He attended and graduated from Minneapolis high school. He was accepted to Highland college but later was rejected due to his race.

(Carver in 1885)

In 1886 he moved and maintained a small conservatory of plants and flowers and a geological collection. In 1890 he started studying art and piano at Simpson College.

(Carver in 1890)

In 1891 he studied botany at Iowa State Agricultural College. In 1894 he wrote his bachelor's thesis. In 1896 he taught as the 1st Black teacher in Iowa state. Also in 1896 Carver taught at Tuskegee institute. During his last few years at the institute he threatened his resignation due to disliking the teaching assignments.

(Carver in 1910)

In 1911 Carver received letters from Booker T. Washington complaining that Carver had not followed orders to plant particular crops at the experiment station. In 1915 Carver concentrated on researching and experimenting with new uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes, soybeans, pecans, and other crops. He founded an industrial research laboratory.

(Carver in 1915)

In 1916 Carver was made a member of the Royal Society of Arts in England. In 1920 The United Peanut Associations of America invited Carver to speak at their convention. In 1922 he published articles in peanut industry journals and wrote a syndicated newspaper column. In 1923 Carver toured white Southern colleges for the Commission on Interracial Cooperation. In 1932 Carver was credited for the rise in peanut products.

(Carter (Middle left) in 1932)

In 1933 Carver worked to develop peanut oil massages to treat infantile paralysis. In 1935 Carver participated in the USDA Disease Survey. In 1937 Carver attended two chemurgy conferences. He also developed a friendship with Henry Ford.

(Carver in 1937)

On January 5th, 1943 George Washington Carver died of anemia in Tuskegee, Alabama, USA. He was about 79 years old.

(Carver’s funeral)

Today is the 74th anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great inventor today.

(P.S. sorry for the late post)

Anniversary of Lewis Latimer's Death

“Habit is a powerful means of advancement, and the habit of eternal vigilance and diligence, rarely fails to bring a substantial reward” - Lewis Latimer

(Lewis Latimer)

Lewis Latimer was born on September 4th, 1848 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA. In 1863 he joined the US Navy. He served on the USS Massasoit. In 1865 he worked as an office boy at a patent law firm. In 1872 he became the head draftsman. In 1873 he married Mary Wilson. In 1874 he co patented an improved toilet system for railroad cars. In 1876 he worked with Alexander Graham Bell. In 1879 he moved to Connecticut. In 1881 he received the patent for the "Process of Manufacturing Carbons".

(Latimer in 1881)

In 1884 he was hired by Thomas Edison and Latimer created a carbon filament for the light bulb that made it last longer. In 1911 he became a patent consultant to law firms.

(Latimer in 1919)

On December 11th, 1928 Lewis Latimer died of natural causes in Queens, New York, USA. He was 80 years old.

(Latimer in 1928)

Today is the 88th anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great inventor today.

(P.S. sorry for the late post)

Happy Birthday Lewis Latimer

“Habit is a powerful means of advancement, and the habit of eternal vigilance and diligence, rarely fails to bring a substantial reward” - Lewis Latimer

(Lewis Latimer)

Lewis Latimer was born on September 4th, 1848 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA. In 1863 he joined the US Navy. He served on the USS Massasoit. In 1865 he worked as an office boy at a patent law firm. In 1872 he became the head draftsman. In 1873 he married Mary Wilson. In 1874 he co patented an improved toilet system for railroad cars. In 1876 he worked with Alexander Graham Bell. In 1879 he moved to Connecticut. In 1881 he received the patent for the "Process of Manufacturing Carbons".

(Latimer in 1881)

In 1884 he was hired by Thomas Edison and Latimer created a carbon filament for the light bulb that made it last longer. In 1911 he became a patent consultant to law firms.

(Latimer in 1919)

On December 11th, 1928 Lewis Latimer died of natural causes in Queens, New York, USA. He was 80 years old.

(Latimer in 1928)

Today is his 168th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Lewis Latimer.

Happy Birthday Granville T. Woods

I believe I can do anything if i just try - Granville T. Woods

(Granville T. Woods)

Granville T. Woods was born on April 23rd, 1856 in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Woods went to school up until 10 years old due to his family needing him to work due to poverty. He served an apprenticeship in a machine shop and learned the trades of machinist and blacksmith. In 1872 Woods obtained a job as a fireman in Missouri. In 1876 he moved to Springfield, IL. He studied mechanical and electrical engineering in college from 1876-1878. In 1878 Woods worked on a steam ship and became engineer of the ship in 1880. He then moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1880. He established his business, Woods Electric Co., as an electrical engineer and an inventor.

(Woods in the 1880’s)

He patented the multiplex telegraph. In 1885 Woods patented an apparatus which was a combination of a telephone and a telegraph. In 1887 Woods patented the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph. Thomas Edison tried to take claim to Woods’ patent. In 1888 Woods manufactured a system of overhead electric conducting lines for railroads. In 1889 Woods filed a patent for an improvement to the steam boiler furnace. In 1892 he moved the business to New York City,NY.

(A drawing of Woods)

His brother Lyates Woods joined his business. Woods developed several improvements to the railroad system in the US. Thomas Edison offered Woods a position in his company after several failed attempts to claim Woods’ patents. Woods rejected the offer. In 1901 Woods patented a third rail system. In total Woods held patents for over 50 inventions. On January 30th, 1910 Granville T. Woods died in New York City, New York, USA. He was 53 years old.

(Woods’ Gravestone)

Today is his 160th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Granville T. Woods.