Wednesday’s HOME-Spun Wisdom

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Today is the birthday of the late George Westinghouse. Read more about this famous inventor.
Wednesday’s HOME-Spun Wisdom

RISMEDIA, Oct. 6 — Today is the birthday of the late George Westinghouse. Read more about this famous inventor.

Westinghouse was born in Central Bridge, New York on October 6, 1846. From early age, he had a creative mind and his father’s shop was just the place to try out new ideas. Once when asked to cut some pipe, George, instead, designed a power device that cut the pipes automatically in a fraction of the time thought necessary. At age 19, he received his first patent: a design for a rotary engine. A year later, home from the Civil War, Westinghouse found his destiny.

In 1866, perhaps the year that changed his life, Westinghouse was riding a train suddenly brought to a halt to avoid colliding into a wrecked train on the rails ahead. Inspecting the sight, he mused that there must be a safer way to stop a heavy train. Existing braking systems were inadequate.

Based on compressed air – the idea used to power rock drills while tunneling – George began to experiment with a new type of braking system for trains. At 22 years of age, he developed the air brake, a device that stopped trains using compressed air. Legendary success insured, he pressed on.

By 1881, he had perfected the first automatic, electric block signal, a device designed to avoid wrecks, save lives and help move rail traffic. Westinghouse’s safety devices instilled passenger confidence and provided operational efficiency to rail owners. The materialization of a colossal railroad industry resulted. But, railroading was not the only business touched by his prowess.

From patent rights purchased from Nikola Tesla, the brilliant intellect who discovered the basis for most alternating-current machines (the rotating magnetic field), Westinghouse helped spearhead the development of alternating current. The Age of Electricity was thus set in motion.

And, from the workings of a simple well in his back yard, he figured out an efficient way to transmit clean, natural gas to homes – for lighting and heating – and to industry for fuel. The natural gas industry owes its existence to Westinghouse.

After that, in Pittsburgh, about 1905, Westinghouse showed his new alternating current electric locomotive. Not long after, his new engine was seen everywhere. Ships were next; Westinghouse marine turbines began a new era of power on the seas.

It is little known that one of his 361 patents is a citywide telephone switching system, created long before widespread use by the telephone companies. Or, that the first radio station in the world was Westinghouse KDKA in Pittsburgh; that the first practical induction motor, the first contract to harness the enormous water power of Niagara Falls and the first power station turbine generator were all credited to Westinghouse; and, that Westinghouse led the world in using atomic power to propel ships in the Navy. Remember Westinghouse appliances? Sewing machines, washers, dryers, the first “turnover” toaster, irons, grills, percolators, am-fm radios and record players.

That’s not all. Starting in 1871, George Westinghouse gave his employees a half day off on Saturday, the first step toward a five-day work week. In 1908, he began a pension fund for workers; in 1913, paid vacations were initiated.

Finally, Westinghouse designed for personal use the first illuminated tennis court. To supply electricity to the 1500 light bulbs, he wired the first private alternating-current power plant.

George Westinghouse died on March 12, 1914. Millions benefited from his companies and those that sprung up because of his innovations. During his career, he formed about seventy companies. He and his wife, Marguerite, together in marriage over 47 years and to whom he credits his success, are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

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