Granville “Tomas” Woods

Granville T. "Tomas" Woods

Hi! My name is Tomas! But today, you can call me Granville T. Woods!

I was an African American inventor who played key roles in developing the telephone, streetcars, and the 3rd Rail!

I was born in Columbus, Ohio on April 23rd, 1856. Passed on January 30th, 1910.

As a teen, I took up a bunch of jobs including a railroad engineer in a railroad machine shop, an engineer on a British ship, a steel mill, and a railroad worker.

From 1876 to 1878, I lived in New York City taking engineering and electricity courses.

In 1887, I created the Multiplex Telegraph! (Also known as an induction telegraph or block system) – This invention allowed people to communicate through telegraph wires to speed up communication, helping to prevent train accidents.

In 1889, I set up my own company to develop, manufacture, and sell electrical apparatus’s.

In 1889, I filed my first patent for an improved steam boiler furnace.

In 1889, I also invented the “Troller” which is a grooved metal wheel used on street cars or trolleys to collect electrical power from overhead wires.

In 1901, I invented the 3rd Rail!

In 1905, I received patents for an air-braking system.

By the time I passed away in 1910, I had invented 15 appliances for electric railways and received over 60 patents. Many of which are used today!

Today, my name is Granville T. Woods. And so are you!