Granville T. Woods Invented First Electric Roller Coaster

Meet Granville T. Woods, the first man who invented the first electric roller coaster.

This is why you need to know Granville T. Woods, the pioneer behind the first electric roller coaster and unaknowledged hero who stimulated our world in more ways than one.

Born in 1856, this ingenious black inventor attained over 50 patents, innovating everything from automatic brakes to gramophone. But it is his work on the figure eight roller coaster that evolved the stimulating game forever. Initially devised for trains, wood refined his electric rail system to power an amusement ride, premiering it at coney island in 1892.

Anticipate the thrill  of that first ride, the buzz of speed and modernity evolving into pure bliss. Yet, wood encountered significant opposition.

In a time where society couldn’t comprehend a black man at the cutting edge of advancement, numerous ideas were plagiarized Wood’s innovation was so revolutionary that companies like General Electric, Westing House and American Engineering reached out to them. At his demise in 1910, he was commemorated as the black Thomas Edison. And in a respectful honor, in April 2008, the corner of Stillwell and Mermaid Avenues was named Granville T. Woods way. Therefore, the next time you encounter the exhilarating of a roller coaster, reverence the mastermind who made it possible. Granville T. Woods, a remarkable name.