George Westinghouse, Jr., the son of a man who made farm machinery in New York, may have been the most productive inventor on record. He helped perpetuate the Industrial Revolution with his instinctive drive to resolve social and commercial obstacles. George's creations changed how society lived and people traveled, perhaps more than any individual. Westinghouse was born in Central Bridge, New York, on October 6, 1846. From an early age, he had a creative mind (see "other creative minds" below,) and his father's shop was just the place to try out new ideas.
Once, when asked to cut some pipe, George, instead, designed a power device that cut the pipes automatically in a fraction of the time thought necessary. At age 19, he received his first patent: a design for a rotary engine. Westinghouse found his destiny a year later, home from the Civil War.
Destiny
In 1866, perhaps the year that changed his life, Westinghouse was riding a train suddenly brought to a halt to avoid colliding with a wrecked train on the rails ahead. Inspecting the sight, he mused that there must be a safer way to stop a heavy train. Existing braking systems were inadequate. Based on compressed air - the idea used to power rock drills while tunneling - George began experimenting with a new type of train braking system. At 22, he developed the air brake, a device that stopped trains using compressed air. Legendary success ensured, he pressed on.
Westinghouse's safety devices instilled passenger confidence and provided operational efficiency to rail owners, resulting in the materialization of a colossal Railroad industry. But railroading was not the only business touched by his prowess. From patent rights purchased from Nikola Tesla, the brilliant intellect who discovered the basis for most alternating-current machines (the rotating magnetic field), Westinghouse helped spearhead the development of alternating current.
The Age of Electricity was thus set in motion. And, from the workings of a simple well in his backyard, he figured out an efficient way to transmit clean, natural gas to homes, lighting and heating, and to industry for fuel. The natural gas industry owes its existence to Mr. Westinghouse. After that, in Pittsburgh, about 1905, Westinghouse showed his new alternating current electric locomotive. Not long after, his new engine was seen everywhere. Ships were next; Westinghouse marine turbines began a new era of power on the seas.
LITTLE KNOWN FACTS
It is little known that one of George's 361 patents is a citywide telephone switching system, created long before widespread use by the telephone companies. Or, that the first radio station in the world was Westinghouse KDKA in Pittsburgh; that the first practical induction motor, the first contract to harness the enormous water power of Niagara Falls and the first power station turbine generator were all credited to Westinghouse; and, that Westinghouse led the world in using atomic power to propel ships in the Navy.
Remember Westinghouse appliances? Sewing machines, washers, dryers, the first "turnover" toaster, irons, grills, percolators, am-fm radios and record players. That's not all. Starting in 1871, George Westinghouse gave his employees a half day off on Saturday, the first step toward a five-day work week. In 1908, he began a pension fund for workers; in 1913, paid vacations were initiated. Finally, Westinghouse designed for personal use the first illuminated tennis court. To supply electricity to the 1500 light bulbs, he wired the first private alternating-current power plant.
ON THE PERSONAL SIDE
George spent as much time as possible at home. To him, his house was the most pleasant place in the world, and his wife, Marguerite, the dearest woman alive, the one he most wanted to please. Together, they entertained often. Dinner conversations usually centered around current events, were enthusiastic, and sometimes inspirational. Never did talk turn to gossip. Westinghouse needed only four to five hours of sleep each night, enough to energize his wonderfully creative mind.
He lived each day to its fullest potential. Life was an adventure. Money did not motivate him to greatness; the promise that his work would help mankind did. George Westinghouse's religion was simple: The Golden Rule.
