Elijah McCoy

Who he is: 

Elijah McCoy trained in mechanical engineering and worked as a railroad fireman/machinist, where he saw locomotives waste time stopping for lubrication. He patented a self-lubricating “drip cup” that kept engines running longer and more safely, and later created dozens of related inventions. His reputation for reliable devices popularized the phrase “the real McCoy.” 

 

Why he matters: 

McCoy exemplifies how trade experience leads to practical invention: spot a pain point, prototype, iterate, and prove it on the job. His work improved transportation efficiency and maintenance safety. For students, he connects shop skills with STEM problem-solving and entrepreneurship.