The Story Behind the Real McCoy Colchester Ontario Elijah McCoy Inventor Historical Figure

Описание: From our archives ...


A little tidbit of nostalgic and historical information about a Colchester resident that you probably didn't know ....

The Inventor: Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy was born on May 2, 1844, in Colchester, Ontario, Canada.

His parents were George and Mildred McCoy, who had escaped enslavement in Kentucky via the Underground Railroad.

After growing up on his family's farm in Canada, McCoy moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, at the age of 15 to serve a five-year apprenticeship in mechanical engineering. Upon completing his studies, he returned to North America and settled in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where his family had relocated while he was abroad.

Due to widespread racial discrimination, he could not find work as an engineer and instead became a fireman and oiler for the Michigan Central Railroad.

In 1872, he patented an automatic "oil-drip cup" that allowed steam engines to be lubricated while still in motion. Because his invention was so much more effective than the numerous "knockoff" versions that followed, railroad engineers were said to have specifically requested "the real McCoy" to ensure they were getting the authentic, high-quality product.

Mr. McCoy collected 57 patents during the course of his lifetime.

He later moved to Detroit, where he established his own manufacturing company and lived until his death in 1929.

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