Woods, Granville T.

1856-1910 · Contribution: 1887

Synchronous multiplex railway telegraph

Technology & Engineering — collage image
Technology & Engineering

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Impact on the world

His railway telegraph allowed moving trains to communicate with stations in real time, a major advance for railway communication and safety that helped prevent train collisions.

Life & background

Often called the 'Black Edison,' Woods was a prolific inventor who patented the synchronous multiplex railway telegraph, allowing moving trains to send and receive messages from stations. He held dozens of patents across his career and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006.

Sources

  1. National Inventors Hall of Fame; Smithsonian Lemelson Center; EBSCO Research Starters