George Westinghouse

6 October 1846 – 12 March 1914

George Westinghouse (1846-1914) was an American entrepreneur and engineer who invented the railway air brake and was a pioneer of the alternating-current electrical system. Founder of Westinghouse Electric, he championed AC power distribution in competition with Thomas Edison and won the contract to harness Niagara Falls.

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Life events

Born in Central Bridge, New York
6 October 1846

George Westinghouse Jr. was born the son of a machine-shop owner in Schoharie County, New York.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Served in the Union Army and Navy during the Civil War
1863 – 1865

Westinghouse enlisted at age 16, serving in the New York cavalry and later as an engineer in the U.S. Navy.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Marguerite Erskine Walker
8 August 1867

Westinghouse married Marguerite Walker, whom he had met on a train journey; they remained married for 47 years.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Patented the railway air brake and founded the Westinghouse Air Brake Company
1869

Westinghouse's compressed-air brake dramatically improved railroad safety and became standard equipment on trains worldwide.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded the Westinghouse Electric Company
January 1886

Westinghouse established the company in Pittsburgh to develop alternating-current electric power systems.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Licensed Nikola Tesla's AC induction motor and polyphase patents
July 1888

Westinghouse acquired rights to Tesla's alternating-current patents and hired him as a consultant, strengthening his position in the 'war of the currents'.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Westinghouse Electric lit the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago
May 1893

Westinghouse won the contract to illuminate the 1893 Chicago world's fair with alternating current, a major public victory for AC power.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Niagara Falls hydroelectric plant began transmitting AC power
1895

Westinghouse generators at the Edward Dean Adams Power Plant harnessed Niagara Falls and transmitted power to Buffalo, validating large-scale AC distribution.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Lost control of the Westinghouse companies during the financial panic
1907

The Panic of 1907 forced Westinghouse to relinquish control of his companies, and he retired from active business by 1911.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in New York City
12 March 1914

Westinghouse died at the age of 67; as a Civil War veteran he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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