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By Tamara Shiloh
Granville T. Woods, a name that reverberates through the annals of technological innovation, was a trailblazing inventor whose contributions transformed the world. Born before the U.S. Civil War, Woods overcame significant obstacles to become one of the most prolific inventors of his time.
He was born on April 23, 1856, in Columbus, Ohio. Coming of age during the era of racial segregation, Woods faced immense challenges in pursuing his passion for engineering. Denied formal education, he taught himself through relentless self-study and practical experience. Despite racial discrimination, Woods went on to establish a successful career as an inventor, leaving an indelible mark on American technological advancements.
He left school at the age of 10 due to his parents’ poverty and apprenticed in a machine shop learning the trades of a machinist and blacksmith. At 18, he worked as a fireman on a railroad in Missouri, moving to Springfield, Illinois, where he worked at a mill. From 1876-78, some sources say he attended college and studied mechanical and electrical engineering.
He worked on a steamship and rose to the position of chief engineer before returning to Ohio where he became an engineer with the Dayton and Southwestern Railroad. He established a business as an electrical engineer and inventor in 1880 in Cincinnati, reorganized it as the Woods Electric Co. and 12 years later, moved research operations to New York City where he worked with his brother, Lyates, who was also an inventor.
Granville Woods’ most significant contributions were in the field of railway technology. He invented numerous devices that revolutionized the safety and efficiency of railroad systems. One of his notable inventions was the “Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph,” which allowed communication between trains, reducing the risk of accidents.
Additionally, Woods developed the “Induction Telegraph System,” enabling moving trains to communicate with station operators. His inventions played a pivotal role in enhancing the safety, reliability, and coordination of train operations, earning him the nickname “The Black Edison.”
Beyond the railroad industry, Woods made groundbreaking advancements in electrical engineering and communication. He invented the “Telegraphony,” a device that combined the telegraph and telephone, allowing voice communication over long distances.
Woods also developed the “Multiplex Railway Telegraph,” which allowed simultaneous communication on multiple telegraph lines. His inventions greatly influenced the development of telegraph and telephone technology, leading to improved communication systems.
One invention that is still used today is the safety dimmer, allowing theaters to decrease their electricity use by 10%.
Before he died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Harlem on Jan. 30, 1910, he had sold a number of his devices to Westinghouse, General Electric and American Engineering.
Woods held over 60 patents for his inventions, leaving an enduring legacy in the field of engineering. Woods’ contributions were posthumously recognized, and in 2006, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
