Education was a luxury for Black people in the 1860s, one that young Granville T. Woods couldn’t afford. He dreamed of inventing machinery, but at age 10, was forced to quit school to work.
Refusing to give up his dream, he devised a plan. Could a Black genius in the 19th century beat the odds?
Woods knew electricity was the future, and engineering required critical thinking skills – skills one learned through education. But without money for lessons, who would teach him?
He taught himself, taking every opportunity he could to either learn more or earn more! Woods apprenticed at railroad machineries, attended night school, worked mechanical jobs, and persevered against racism he faced within the industry.
His thirst for knowledge was unquenchable, and his hard work soon paid off.
His determination landed him a position as a steamship engineer – but racism kept keeping him down. So he created his own company and thrived!
His most successful invention was the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph. It allowed train engineers to know the proximity of other trains, making railroads MUCH safer. Eventually, he received more than 60 patents.
Woods didn’t take the traditional education path, but his dreams pushed him to beat the odds of becoming a successful inventor! Our plans for success don’t have to follow traditional paths. What it really takes is working hard until we accomplish our goal!