Elijah McCoy made America's trains run faster, farther and more efficient. McCoy invented a device that allowed trains to be oiled automatically while running. His invention made trains safer and oiling the engines easier, improved the efficiency of America's entire transportation system.

Born in Canada, raised in Michigan and trained in mechanical engineering in Scotland, McCoy got a job with the Michigan Central Railroad. He was responsible for oiling the moving parts of a train when it stopped, a dangerous task in the days before the telegraph allowed engineers to know whether or not a train was approaching.

McCoy created a self-lubricating device for steam engines, eventually patenting his invention in 1872. While many train officials were reluctant to utilize the invention of a black man, many realized that nothing worked as well as the "real McCoy." Not only did McCoy create this catch-phrase, he had 57 other inventions (including patents for a lawn sprinkler and ironing board.)