Elijah McCoy (1844-1929) was a pioneering African-American engineer who revolutionized the railroad industry with his ingenious inventions. Born in Canada to parents who escaped slavery, McCoy overcame racial discrimination to become one of the most prolific inventors of his time, earning 57 patents, mostly related to lubricating systems for steam engines.
His most famous invention was the "lubricating cup" (patented in 1872), an automatic lubricator that allowed trains to be oiled while in motion, eliminating the need for frequent stops.

This groundbreaking device dramatically improved efficiency and profitability for railroads. The superior quality of McCoy's lubricator led to the popular phrase "the real McCoy," as engineers sought to avoid inferior imitations.
Despite his immense contributions, McCoy struggled financially and had to assign or sell most of his patent rights.

Nevertheless, he persevered, inventing a portable ironing board, lawn sprinkler, and other innovations.

McCoy's determination, ingenuity, and pioneering spirit as one of the first prominent African-American inventors have cemented his legacy as a true American icon.

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