You might not know his name, but Granville T. Woods was a true genius. Often called the “Black Edison,” he was born in 1856 in Columbus, Ohio. However, his most important work happened right here in Cincinnati. In fact, he spent a key decade in the city starting around 1880. During that time, he turned ideas into inventions that made trains safer and helped shape modern technology. So, let’s take a closer look at his story.
How He Got Started in Cincinnati
Woods didn’t have an easy path. He apprenticed as a machinist and worked on railroads and ships. Then, in 1880, he settled in Cincinnati and found work as a steam locomotive engineer. Because the city was booming industrially, it gave him the perfect spot to experiment. Soon, he opened his own shop and started the Woods Electric Company with his brother Lyates. Although he faced racism and money troubles, he kept pushing forward. For example, local newspapers praised him as one of the greatest electricians around…