Post by EEA Consulting Engineers

In honor of Black History Month, we want to recognize a few of the many black pioneers who paved the way for innovation in engineering and science. Today, we honor Elijah McCoy. When he was fifteen, his parents sent him to school in Scotland where he studied mechanical engineering, a field that had interested him from the time he was young. When he returned to the US, he found it difficult to find a job as a mechanical engineer, so he went to work for the Michigan Central Railroad. His duties included lubricating engine parts. Engines needed frequent lubrication, and each time, the trains had to be stopped and started, an inefficient process. McCoy was convinced there was a better way and invented his automatic lubricator. His reputation spread, and users of heavy equipment were wary of buying cheap substitutes. As a result, they often asked for "the real McCoy," a phrase that still exists in today's vocabulary. We thank Mr. McCoy for his contribution to the world of engineers! #blackhistorymonth #eeace Source: http://ow.ly/uY8N50DsJKF