Black Inventor Inducted Into Coney Island Hall of Fame

Granville T. Woods, a black inventor whose devices made the New York subway possible, had a very good year – even though he died nearly 100 years ago. Much of the credit for getting Woods the recognition he deserves goes to Local 100 Bus Operator David Head who has been working tirelessly to make people aware of the inventor’s many contributions to the subway system.

This spring, a street outside the Transit Authority’s Stillwell Terminal was named in Woods’ honor because the electrical engineer demonstrated several of his important railway inventions in Coney Island. In August, Woods was inducted into the Coney Island Hall of Fame because of that work and his “Figure 8” roller coaster which had its debut at Coney Island’s Steeple Chase Park in 1909.

When it was patented in 1899, the Figure 8 was the first standard electric roller coaster. Head was on hand for the induction ceremony on August 28, as was New York Transit President Howard Roberts. Among the other inductees was the famed folk singer Woody Guthrie. Head, who was costumed as the inventor, said that each generation must take the responsibility to define, interpret and claim their golden historical legacy.

In 2004, Head created an exhibit for the 100th anniversary of the New York subway system detailing Woods’ achievements and got the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to put Woods on a special edition Centennial Metro Card. Among Woods’ many patents are those for the third rail, an air brake system and the induction telegraph system, which allows the dispatcher to see a train’s location in the tunnel through a series of colored lights. Head, who works out of the Mother Hale Depot, said, “Granville T. Woods’ story is that of an African-American pioneer whose inventions were pivotal during the Industrial Age.”