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George Westinghouse Biography
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Biography: George Westinghouse
Born 1846, Died 1914
George Westinghouse was born on October 6, 1846 in Central Bridge, New York. The son of a farm machinery manufacturer, George Westinghouse began working on his first invention, a rotary steam engine, at the age of 15. He obtained his first patent when he was 19.
After serving in the Civil War, George Westinghouse became interested in the problems of the railway industry. In 1865 Westinghouse invented a device for replacing railroad cars on the track.
While riding on a train which collided with a wrecked train on the tracks ahead, George Westinghouse realized that the hand brakes then in use were inadequate to safely stop a train. He began experimenting with a new type of braking system. In 1868 George Westinghouse demonstrated his new air brake system.
George Westinghouse made inventions for railway signals and switches to avoid wrecks and move railway traffic.
Westinghouse also devised a safe way for the transmission of natural gas to homes and industry.
Under the direction of George Westinghouse modern techniques for the long distance transmission of high voltage alternating electrical current were pioneered in the United States.
George Westinghouse lost control of his industrial empire in the financial panic of 1907. Over 400 patents were granted to George Westinghouse during his lifetime as an inventor and industrialist.
George Westinghouse died on March 12, 1914.
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