This is the story of Elija McCoy. Born 1843 --- Died 1929
Yound Elijah McCoy loved machines. He would take things apart just to see how they worked. The he would put the parts back together again. People knew Elijah was very smart. And they knew he would do something very special when he grew up.
Elijah was born in Colchester, Ontario, Canada. His parents had escaped there from slavery in the United States. The McCoys made sure their children went to school. the wanted them to have a good education.
When Elijah was 16 years old, he went to school in Scotland to learn drafting. Drafters draw plans for new machines and buildings. Elijah also studied engineering. Engineers plan how to build such things as canals, bridges, and oil wells.
Elijah studied hards. He fininshed his training and became a "master mechanic and engineer."
Elijah decided to live in Ypsilanti, Michigan. But he could not find a job as an engineer. Although slavery had ended in the United States, there still was prejudice against black people. Elijah had to accept a job as a fireman and oilman for the Michigan Central Railroad.
Elijah had to shovel tons of coal into the firebox of the train. It was hard work.
At that time, trains ran on steam. Steam was made when water was heated in boilers by burning coal.
Elijah had other work, too. He oiled moving parts of the train. Every few miles the train would stop so that Elijah could oil the parts.
If parts rubbed together, they could stick and stop the train. Oil kept the parts from sticking. Oiling moving parts of a train or machine is called lubricating.
Elijah wanted to find a better way to lubricate the moving parts. Other people had tried to make oiling tools. But none of them worked very well. Elijah thought about it and came up with an answer.
In 1872, Elijah made his first oil cup. This invention dripped oil to the parts that needed lubrication. Later that year, the United States government gave Elijah a patent to protect the rights to his invention.
Elijah called his new invention the "lubricating cup."
Railroad executives didn't trust Elijah's invention at first. They didn't think that a black man could be smart enough to invent such an important tool. But they were wrong.
Finally, the Michigan Central Railroad gave the new invention a try. It worked perfectly. The news of McCoy's "lubricating cup" spread quickly. Soon, all of the railroad companies wanted to use Elijah's invention.
Others tried to copy Elijah's lubricating cup. None worked as well as Elijah's. And companies knew the diffence. They would always as for "the real McCoy." Today, that expression is still used to mean the "real thing."
In 1882, Elijah began to work full time as an inventor. He invented an ironing board and a lawn sprinkler. But most of his inventions were for oiling different kinds of machines. In all, Elijah received 57 patents for inventions.
In 1920, Elijah McCoy formed his own business in Detroit, Michigan. It was called the Elija McCoy Manufacturing Company. He operated it until a year before his death. By 1928, Elijah was in bad health. He had used all the money he earned on improving his inventions.
In 1975, this talented inventor was honered by the city of Detroit. A historic marker was placed at the site of his home. A street was also named in his honor.
I hope this story gives us all a little inspiration to to do things. Our communtiy has the foundation to achieve great things.
Your friend,
Lloyd Cope