Blacks Catch the Fever Too

A talented black inventor who had an interest in engines was Granville Woods. As a young man, he, too, worked for a railroad company as a fireman and engineer. He also worked in a machine shop and attended classes in electrical and mechanical engineering at night. In 1884, Woods and his brother opened a machine shop in Cincinnati, which gave Granville the chance to concentrate his energy on experimenting with various devices. His first patent was for a steam boiler furnace that was able to operate on less fuel than that required by other furnaces.

"It is critical that we take charge of our own destiny."

- David C. Wilson

He also invented a telephone transmitter for sending messages by electricity. He was commissioned to do this work by the American Bell Telephone Company of Boston. The telephone industry considered this invention superior to other telegraphic instruments in use at that time. In addition to updating and improving earlier telegraphic equipment, Woods invented a communications device that could be used between moving trains to help reduce the danger of accidents. This invention was bought and used by railroad companies. He also created an apparatus that improved the operation of electrical streetcars.

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