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George Westinghouse: American inventor and industrialist |
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George Westinghouse was born in Central Bridge, New York, west of Albany. He served in both the Union army and navy during the Civil War. He received his education at Union College and the University of Schenectady.
George Westinghouse perfected the first of his long list of successful inventions with the development of a “railway frog” or “reversible frog” which enabled trains to be placed on tracks.
The safety record of the early American railroad industry was dismal. Steam engines exploded, trains rammed into one another or derailed, all with depressing regularity. As a response to one of these problems, Westinghouse in 1868 developed the air brake, providing a reliable way of stopping a train.
The Westinghouse Air Brake Company was formed the following year. This invention was slowly adopted by many railroads in the United States, but it became mandatory equipment with the passage of the Railway Safety Appliance Act in 1893. The air brake also became popular in Europe and Westinghouse became a leader in the effort to standardize parts, enabling them to be used throughout the world.
Addressing another safety concern, George Westinghouse invented an automatic railroad signal device which employed both electricity and compressed air. In 1882, the Union Switch and Signal Company was formed.
George Westinghouse also became a leader in the introduction of alternating current transmission technology to the United States. Initial service had been provided by direct current, whose proponents bitterly resisted any change. The famed inventor Nikola Tesla was employed by Westinghouse to develop motors. Westinghouse’s triumph came when he won a contract to install alternating current generators at Niagara Falls.
During the depression which followed the Panic of 1907, George Westinghouse suffered huge financial losses and terminated his relationship with his companies.
Tesla on George Westinghouse
Tesla on George Westinghouse ``George Westinghouse was, in my opinion, the only man on this globe who could take my alternating-current system under the circumstances then existing and win the battle against prejudice and money George Westinghouse ``George Westinghouse was, in my opinion, the only man on this globe who could take my alternating-current system under the circumstances then existing and win the battle against prejudice and money George Westinghouse was, in my opinion, the only man on this globe who could take my alternating-current system under the circumstances then existing and win the battle against prejudice and money power. He was a ...
http://www.neuronet.pitt.edu/~bogdan/tesla/ongeorge.htm
GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE ... his original internet site!
George Westinghouse's religion was simple: The Golden Rule. MILLIONS BENEFIT George Westinghouse died on March 12, 1914. Millions benefited from his companies and those that sprung up because of his innovations. During his careerGeorge Westinghouse's religion was simple: The Golden Rule. MILLIONS BENEFIT George Westinghouse died on March 12, 1914. Millions benefited from his companies and those that sprung up because of his innovations. During his career, George Westinghouse died on March 12, 1914. Millions benefited from his companies and those that sprung up because of his innovations. During his career, he formed about ...
http://users.telerama.com/~rs7717/george.html
George Westinghouse - The History of Electricity
... George Westinghouse Related History • Electric Chair Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse were rivals in the early days of the electrical utility industry and the electric chair played a strange role in this rivalry. • GeorGeorge Westinghouse Related History • Electric Chair Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse were rivals in the early days of the electrical utility industry and the electric chair played a strange role in this rivalry. • GeorGeorge Westinghouse were rivals in the early days of the electrical utility industry and the electric chair played a strange role in this rivalry. • George WestinghouseGeorge Westinghouse ...
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blwestinghouse.htm
