George Westinghouse (October 6, 1846 – March 12, 1914)

George Westinghouse was born on the 6th October, 1846, in Central Bridge, New York, the son of George Westinghouse Sr. and Emiline (Vedder). He was eighth out of ten children. His father was the owner of a machine shop and this probably the reason why son George was talented with machinery and in business.

He developed a rotary steam engine, acquiring his first patent in 1865. Moreover, he invented a steel car replacer and frog, for railways, and applied for patents for these inventions.

He served in the Union army and navy during the Civil War and then attended Union College before striking out on his own.

It was not until the early 1880s that George Westinghouse became interested in electrical engineering. By the time he was 40 years old, he had formed the Westinghouse Air Brake Company, developed a system of pipes to conduct natural gas safely into homes, and invented the gas meter.

He organized the Westinghouse Electric Company in 1886, which he used as a base to advocate successfully the ac system. Westinghouse was one of America's greatest inventors andone of the true giants of United States industry.

During the 1870s George Westinghouse spent the greater part of his time in Europe. One of his aims was to sell his air brake system to British railway companies. In 1872 the Westinghouse Continuous Brake Company was established, in New York, to manage the European export business, eventually resulting in the formation of the Westinghouse Brake Company Limited, in England, in 1881.
George Westinghouse (October 6, 1846 – March 12, 1914)