ELIJAH MCCOY: A FOUNDING FATHER TO MACHINERY LUBRICATION, AND THE REAL MCCOY
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA|September - October 2023
Machinery lubrication has been an essential aspect of industrial production over the course of each of the four industrial revolutions.
ELIJAH MCCOY: A FOUNDING FATHER TO MACHINERY LUBRICATION, AND THE REAL MCCOY

For nearly all industries, lubricants such as oils and greases help reduce friction and wear on mechanical parts, which, in turn, increases the efficiency and life span of the machinery. One of the most important contributions to the field of machinery lubrication was made by Elijah McCoy, an inventor who developed the first automatic lubricator for steam engines.

McCoy was born in the mid-19th century to African American parer who, through the assistance of the Underground Railroad, had fled from Kentucky to Ontario, Canada, to escape slavery. As a young boy, McCoy was enamored and inspired by the sophistication of contemporary mechanical designs. At the age of 15, he was sent to Scotland, where he studied to become a mechanical engineer at the University of Edinburgh.

Upon completing his education, McCoy returned to his family, who, by this time, had relocated to Michigan. Due to institutionalized racism, he struggled to find a mechanical engineering job worthy of his education and abilities. Instead, he took on jobs in the rail industry, like shoveling coal in the boiler rooms and oil in gtrain wheel bearings and other moving parts. This latter task signifi- cantly extended transport delivery times. 

During the first industrial revolution (before McCoy's invention), lubrication was done manually a time-consuming and often unreliable process: Engineers would have to stop the machinery to lubricate the moving parts, which reduced productivity and increased the risk of equipment failure. This is where McCoy saw room for improvement; he believed that there had to be a better way to lubricate machinery, and he set out to find a solution.

This story is from the September - October 2023 edition of MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September - October 2023 edition of MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIAView All
The Secrets For Implementing A Clean lubricant Program
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

The Secrets For Implementing A Clean lubricant Program

If you could find an investment that guaranteed a return 40 times greater than your initial investment, you probably wouldn't pass it up.

time-read
4 mins  |
March - April 2024
MAINTAIN? REPAIR? REPLACE?
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

MAINTAIN? REPAIR? REPLACE?

When considering the life of any asset, the question arises: what types of interventions should be planned to keep it operating or to restore operation in the event of its failure?

time-read
4 mins  |
March - April 2024
Engineering Reports Should Be Like Bad Movies
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

Engineering Reports Should Be Like Bad Movies

I'm frequently asked to review engineering reports, and I'm continually baffled by how many engineers want to take their readers on a journey instead of getting to the point.

time-read
7 mins  |
March - April 2024
WHY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AREN'T ENOUGH TO MITIGATE LUBRICANT CONTAMINATION
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

WHY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AREN'T ENOUGH TO MITIGATE LUBRICANT CONTAMINATION

There are few problems more insidious or damaging to large industrial machinery than contaminated lubricant.

time-read
4 mins  |
March - April 2024
LUBRICATION CONTAMINATION PREVENTION
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

LUBRICATION CONTAMINATION PREVENTION

How many articles have you read, or seminars listened to, that tout the value of contamination control? If you are like me, they number in the hundreds—if not thousands. One thing about these articles and seminars that bothers me is the word “control”.

time-read
6 mins  |
March - April 2024
LUBRICANT CONTAMINATION PREVENTION AND MITIGATION: A Guide For Maintenance Professionals
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

LUBRICANT CONTAMINATION PREVENTION AND MITIGATION: A Guide For Maintenance Professionals

Lubricants are essential for the smooth and efficient operation of many types of machinery, from engines and turbines to gears and bearings.

time-read
5 mins  |
March - April 2024
TASK-BASED TRAINING | INSPECTING A SINGLE-POINT LUBRICATOR
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

TASK-BASED TRAINING | INSPECTING A SINGLE-POINT LUBRICATOR

A single-point lubricator is a device engineered to attach to a single unit to regularly and automatically deliver a small amount of clean grease or lubricating oil to a specific area.

time-read
3 mins  |
March - April 2024
TOP LEADERSHIP FOCUSES FOR IMPROVED RELIABILITY AND COST REDUCTION
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

TOP LEADERSHIP FOCUSES FOR IMPROVED RELIABILITY AND COST REDUCTION

Here’s a scenario that may sound eerily familiar – you have a new reliability initiative.

time-read
4 mins  |
March - April 2024
4 KEY ELEMENTS FOR INTERPRETING AN OIL ANALYSIS REPORT
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

4 KEY ELEMENTS FOR INTERPRETING AN OIL ANALYSIS REPORT

Years ago, a customer came into my office, visibly upset. He had just received his second oil analysis report for one of his Caterpillar gas engines.

time-read
4 mins  |
March - April 2024
ASTM ENHANCEMENTS TO MICROSCOPIC PARTICLE IDENTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

ASTM ENHANCEMENTS TO MICROSCOPIC PARTICLE IDENTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION

In 1982, Daniel Anderson published his influential book, \"Wear Particle Atlas\", which describes, sizes, and classifies particles found in oil.

time-read
4 mins  |
March - April 2024