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Granville T. Woods' contribution to Mass
Transit & Electric
Railroading
Overview by David Head
Granville Woods is one of America’s most
notable (but ironically least known) inventors. Although Granville T.
Woods never became a household name, his reputation as an electrical
genius spread throughout the industry. Granville Woods received his
first patent in 1884 and over the course of his life would invent and
patent several dozen different devices; including fifteen new
technologies for electric railways.
In 1891 Granville T. Woods came to
New York City; he brought with him the vision of electrifying
transportation in New York. Woods believed that New
York’s horse drawn streetcars and the coal powered steam
engines running on New York’s railroads and elevated transit
lines could be replaced with clean, safe, electric
traction. Woods would invent a number of devices
and bring forth several new technologies that would allow for the
electrification and proliferation of New York’s Rapid Transit
System.
Granville T. Woods'
Contribution to Railway Communication
By 1891, when Woods would move to New
York City he had already become an accomplished inventor; inventing
several devises that dramatically improved railway
communication. Woods’ inventions saved lives and
helped prevent the almost routine train wrecks that occurred during his
era. One of Woods inventions was the "telegraphony" (1885); a
device that allowed telegraph stations to send messages orally and via
Morse Code over the same lines. Woods’ invention of
the "synchronous multiplex railway telegraph" (1887), allowed messages
to be sent to and from moving trains, enabling train conductors and
engineers to avoid collisions and report hazard on tracks ahead.
Granville T. Woods'
field shunting speed control system
Granville T. Woods invented an
innovative field shunting speed control system for trolleys and
electric rail cars; this system would replace the resistor based speed
control systems then in use. The earlier resistor based
systems controlled train speed by reducing the electrical energy being
supplied to the traction motors through the application of
resistors. This system was not only inefficient but also
produced a great deal of heat, since excess energy would be converted
to heat. The excess heat was problematic when combined with
the wooden trolleys and rail cars in use at that time; resistor based
speed control systems could (and occasionally would) cause the wooden
rail cars to spontaneously ignite.
Granville Woods’ invented
an electric rail car speed control system that used field shunting
instead of resistors. In this system, the field coil in the
electric motor would have a portion (step) of its field coil added or
removed from the circuit thereby supplying the motor with more or less
energy allowing the car to accelerate, maintain speed or coast (and
decelerate by using a regenerative braking system).
The electric railway power
distribution
systems invented by Granville T. Woods
On Saturday February 13th
1892 (roughly a year after Woods’ arrival in New York)
Woods’ “Multiple Distributing Station
System” was tested by the American Engineering Company and
demonstrated to the public at Coney Island, Brooklyn. The
Demonstration amazed the crowd and made a very favorable impression
with the electrical experts and surface railway magnates of that
period. This system was a dramatic departure from any
previous distribution system for electric railway power. This
system allowed for the wireless transmission of electric power,
utilizing principles of electro magnetic induction instead of overhead
wires, a 3rd rail or any physical contact
point.
Unfortunately,
Wood’s dream of widespread implementation of the
“Multiple Distributing Station System” would be
derailed by the scurrilous tactics of Mr. James S. Zerbe of the
American Engineering Company. Woods eventually resorted to
litigation after Mr. Zerbe and the American Engineering Company
attempted to market his patented invention. A newspaper
article from that period states: “Mr. Woods asserts that he
never received one penny compensation for the work done, while the
[American Engineering] Company is preparing to reap a rich
harvest.”
Woods would eventually succeed in
court, but this particular invention would not see widespread
implementation. Interestingly enough this invention was 100
years ahead of its time. Wood’s Multiple
Distributing Station System bears a striking resemblance to
today’s experimental linear induction railroad propulsion
systems.
However, the three other electric
railway power distribution systems invented by woods would see
widespread implementation. During the 1890’s and
Early 20th Century Woods' invented the "Electric
Railway Conduit System" in 1891, which was used extensively on
Washington D.C. and Manhattan’s Streetcar systems (see
patented drawing and description above).
Granville T. Woods also invented a 3rd
Rail Power Distribution system. The patent for third rail
(Patent #687,098) was issued to Granville T. Woods in 1901.
This extremely durable and low maintenance system of power
collection and distribution allowed for the electrification of
“Heavy” rail operations such as passenger and
freight railway lines. The third rail system also allowed for more
efficient tunnel construction and underground train
operation. This type of power distribution system was
implemented on Subway, railway and rapid transit lines around the
world. Third rail systems have been used in the New York City
Subway System since its inception and continues to be used
today.
Woods other inventions include an
improved air brake (a patent he sold to Westinghouse), an improved
telephone transmitter. Here is A list of patents
issued to Granville T. Woods
Recognition
of Granville T. Woods - His Inventions Made The NYC Subway System
Possible
As we enter the 21st Century and
begin preparations to celebrate the NYC Subway System's 100th year of
operation, long overdue recognition is necessary for one of the fathers
of rail transit and subway technology, Granville T. Woods.
Granville T. Woods inventions made the NYC subway system possible, and
his innovations and creative brilliance helped shape modern
society.
Mr. David L. Head, Chairman of the
Transport Workers Union Black History Committee, has been on a mission
over the last 5 years to restore the legacy of Granville T.
Woods. Some suggestions on how best to honor him, and keep
his legacy alive, include:
A permanent large
bronze plaque and museum display at the New York City Transit Museum;
demonstrating and describing his pivotal and significant inventions and
their implementation within the NYC Subway System. T
A wall mosaic or
mural in a subway station uptown in the Village of Harlem.
A commemorative
edition Metrocard & subway poster for the subway centennial in
2004
A Granville T.
Woods award for excellence, that could be awarded annually to an MTA
employee for innovation and excellence.
The
NYC Subway System will turn 100 on October 27th, 2004. The
upcoming centennial celebration provides a unique opportunity to look
back and honor the people whose visions, ideas, innovations and
perseverance made the NYC subway system possible. Brooklyn
Historic Railway welcomes your suggestions regarding the people who's
contributions should be honored and innovative ways in which to honor
them. We will pass the information along to the MTA and
provide you with additional contact information relating to the
upcoming subway centennial. You can contact us here
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Granville
T. Woods
