FOUNDER SERIES
Elijah McCoy: Meet This African-American Genius Inventor With 50+ Patents
Learn How This Fireman Became A Genius Inventor & Improved The Steam Engine Technology.
Elijah McCoy (May 2, 1844–October 10, 1929) was an African-American inventor who obtained over 50 patents throughout his lifetime. His most renowned invention was a cup that uses a short tube to distribute lubricating oil to machine bearings.
McCoy‘s Early Life
Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, Canada, on May 2, 1844. His parents, George and Mildred McCoy, had been enslaved since birth and became freedom seekers, taking the Underground Railroad from Kentucky to Canada.
Elijah’s family returned to the United States when he was three years old, settling in Detroit, Michigan.
Elijah had a total of eleven brothers and sisters. He enjoyed playing with tools and machines as a child and experimenting with different ways to repair and improve them.
His Career
McCoy, like other Black Americans at the time, was subjected to racial prejudice, which prohibited him from obtaining a job that was appropriate for his educational level.
The only job he could find was with the Michigan Central Railroad as a locomotive fireman and oiler.
On a train, the fireman was in charge of fueling the steam engine and maintaining the oiler, which greased the moving elements of the engine as well as the train’s wheels and bearings.
Trains had to stop and be lubricated on a regular basis at the time to avoid overheating.
McCoy invented a steam engine lubricator that didn’t require the train to halt. His steam-powered automatic lubricator pumped oil wherever it was needed.
In 1872, McCoy was issued his first patent for this invention, the first of several for his improvements to steam engine lubricators.
These innovations boosted public transportation by allowing trains to travel longer distances without stopping for maintenance or re-oiling.
Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company
One lesson we can learn from McCoy is “Branding.”
McCoy finally founded the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company in 1920, nearing the end of his life, to produce lubricators bearing his name.
McCoy’s inventiveness gained him a permanent place in the Black community.
He continued to invent until his death, obtaining 57 patents, the majority of which were related to lubrication, but some were about lawn sprayers and ironing boards.
Around the turn of the century, he became well-known among his Black peers.
His Legacy
McCoy was admired by many, particularly in the Black community, for his resourcefulness and achievements.
In his “Story of the Negro,” Booker T. Washington named McCoy the Black inventor with the most U.S. patents.
McCoy was elected to the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2001.
His old workshop in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is commemorated with a historical marker, and the Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional US Patent and Trademark Office in Detroit is named after him.
What Can We Takeaway?
“Passionate & Innovative.”
These two words spring to mind when we think of Elijah McCoy. These two admirable qualities are the foundation of his success and lasting legacy.
Consider what would happen if Elijah McCoy had turned down the job as a fireman and oiler because it was beneath his skill set.
Would the economy grow as quickly as it did as a result of improved transportation?
In both life and business, there is always room for development and inventiveness.
Imitate Elijah McCoy by refusing to let who you get in the way of your potential for greatness.
His work possibilities were limited due to racial segregation, but that did not stop him from demonstrating his abilities and ingenuity.
Keep discovering here — McCoy’s Other Interesting Inventions.
If you want to read more about successful founders, please follow us on Medium. Or, visit — the AI bees Founder Series for more!
