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The Real McCoy: The Life of an African-American Inventor
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 4, 2018
Elijah McCoy was the son of fugitive slaves that lived in Canada. He was born in 1844 in Ontario, Canada, which was fortunate for his career aspirations and achievements. As a free person in Canada, he was free to pursue his education, had his parents remained slaves in Kentucky, it would have been illegal for Elijah to have received an education.
Like so many young people that became engineers, Elijah loved to take things apart and then put them back together again. His aptitude and interest were so great that his parents sent him to Edinburgh, Scotland to study engineering. When he returned to the United States, the only job he could get was as a fireman on the locomotives. Yet, he never stopped thinking and as he oiled the train parts during stops, Elijah thought of a way that the oil could be applied automatically. He created and patented an automatic oil cup that worked so well, the trains could go much further without having to stop for oiling.
Other people created similar devices, but McCoy’s was superior. With so many pretenders, when buyers for train lines went looking for automatic oil cups, they asked for the genuine article designed by McCoy. Therefore, it is reasonable that the expression, “the real McCoy” originated with people asking for the oil cup designed by McCoy.
McCoy went on to invent and patent many other new devices and techniques. It is unfortunate that he never achieved fame and fortune, he was living in a home for poor, elderly people when he died. McCoy is an African-American that achieved a great deal, yet fame, fortune or a significant place in the history books were not part of it.
Therefore, this book fills a significant historical hole, giving McCoy some of the recognition that he deserves. Earned, yet a result of being educated because of his parent’s flight from slavery.
Like so many young people that became engineers, Elijah loved to take things apart and then put them back together again. His aptitude and interest were so great that his parents sent him to Edinburgh, Scotland to study engineering. When he returned to the United States, the only job he could get was as a fireman on the locomotives. Yet, he never stopped thinking and as he oiled the train parts during stops, Elijah thought of a way that the oil could be applied automatically. He created and patented an automatic oil cup that worked so well, the trains could go much further without having to stop for oiling.
Other people created similar devices, but McCoy’s was superior. With so many pretenders, when buyers for train lines went looking for automatic oil cups, they asked for the genuine article designed by McCoy. Therefore, it is reasonable that the expression, “the real McCoy” originated with people asking for the oil cup designed by McCoy.
McCoy went on to invent and patent many other new devices and techniques. It is unfortunate that he never achieved fame and fortune, he was living in a home for poor, elderly people when he died. McCoy is an African-American that achieved a great deal, yet fame, fortune or a significant place in the history books were not part of it.
Therefore, this book fills a significant historical hole, giving McCoy some of the recognition that he deserves. Earned, yet a result of being educated because of his parent’s flight from slavery.
January 28, 2022
The Real Mcoy: The Life of an Afro-American Inventor by Wandy Towle, Illustrator Wil Clay- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the biography of Elijah McCoy (1844-1929), a son of an escaped slave. Elijah was the son of fugitive slaves who resided in Ontario, Canada. As a free person in Canada, he pursues his education. Elijah loved to take gadgets apart and then put them back together again. His aptitude and interest were so great that his parents sent him to Edinburgh, Scotland to study engineering. When he returned to the United States, the only job he could get was as a fireman on the locomotives. Yet, he never stopped thinking and as he oiled the train parts during stops, Elijah thought of a way that the oil could be applied automatically. He created and patented an automatic oil cup that worked so well, the trains could go much further without having to stop for oiling. People created similar devices, but McCoy’s was superior. With so many pretenders, when buyers for train lines went looking for automatic oil cups, they asked for the genuine article designed by McCoy. McCoy went on to invent and patent many other new devices and techniques. It is unfortunate that he never achieved fame and fortune, he was living in a home for poor, elderly people when he died. Mccoy created over 55 patents. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
April 16, 2018
Genre: Biography
Unique Feature:
This is a biography of Elijah McCoy (1844-1929), a son of an escaped slave, who created over 55 patents. One of his inventions was an automatic oiling mechanism that was so good that when others were compared to it they would say, “It’s not the real McCoy!”. Some say this is how the “Real McCoy” phrase was coined. Great book to discuss the social implications of slavery and the importance of science, technology, and design. Overall, one of the unique features had to do with the illustrations. Despite Elijah Mccoy's hard life, the illustrations was effective at capturing Elijah's body language. Throughout the book, he seemed happy and determined. I also like how the text was put in text boxes in an effort to contrast with the illustrations.
Grades: Upper Elementary (3-4)
Unique Feature:
This is a biography of Elijah McCoy (1844-1929), a son of an escaped slave, who created over 55 patents. One of his inventions was an automatic oiling mechanism that was so good that when others were compared to it they would say, “It’s not the real McCoy!”. Some say this is how the “Real McCoy” phrase was coined. Great book to discuss the social implications of slavery and the importance of science, technology, and design. Overall, one of the unique features had to do with the illustrations. Despite Elijah Mccoy's hard life, the illustrations was effective at capturing Elijah's body language. Throughout the book, he seemed happy and determined. I also like how the text was put in text boxes in an effort to contrast with the illustrations.
Grades: Upper Elementary (3-4)
April 12, 2023
Interesting and informative, albeit brief
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November 21, 2015Elijah McCoy was born on May 2, 1844 in Colchester, Ontario, Canada. Elijah's parents had been slaves in Kentucky and had escaped, via the underground railroad, in search of freedom and a new home.
Elijah's father, George, served in the Canadian Army and in return for his loyal service was given 60 acres of farmland.
Elijah was allowed to attend school where he learned to read and write. B ut Elijah was always interested in mechanical devices and enjoyed taking machines apart and putting them back together. In 1860, when he was 16, Elijah traveled 3,000 miles to Scotland where he studied to become a "master mechanic and engineer".
After completing his studies Elijah decided to live in the United States where he found a job working for the Michigan Central Railroad. Elijah's first job was to be an oilman. During this time trains woulds stop every few miles for the oilman to oil axles, bearings, and other moving parts of the train. In 1872 Elijah designed a device that would automatically oil these moving parts Elijah continued to invent and make mechanical devices. Due to his success with inventing Elijah started his own company in 1920.
"As one of the first African-American inventors, Elijah McCoy's success story demonstrates one man's tremendous dedication to his work. It is fitting that his name - the real McCoy - has come to mean perfection."
Elijah's father, George, served in the Canadian Army and in return for his loyal service was given 60 acres of farmland.
Elijah was allowed to attend school where he learned to read and write. B ut Elijah was always interested in mechanical devices and enjoyed taking machines apart and putting them back together. In 1860, when he was 16, Elijah traveled 3,000 miles to Scotland where he studied to become a "master mechanic and engineer".
After completing his studies Elijah decided to live in the United States where he found a job working for the Michigan Central Railroad. Elijah's first job was to be an oilman. During this time trains woulds stop every few miles for the oilman to oil axles, bearings, and other moving parts of the train. In 1872 Elijah designed a device that would automatically oil these moving parts Elijah continued to invent and make mechanical devices. Due to his success with inventing Elijah started his own company in 1920.
"As one of the first African-American inventors, Elijah McCoy's success story demonstrates one man's tremendous dedication to his work. It is fitting that his name - the real McCoy - has come to mean perfection."
January 3, 2010
Elijah McCoy really existed, and his inventions as described in this book are real. The book, to my knowledge, adequately and succinctly sums up his life.
Unfortunately, it spends a page or so talking about him as a spurious inspiration for the phrase "the real McCoy". Given that lubricators with his name on them weren't sold until the end of his life, and given that the expression has been attested to before the man was even *born*, that's incredibly unlikely, and a small amount of research would have shown the author that fact. It's even on the back cover that he's the origin of the phrase, and it's not true.
It seems like a small thing, but as I already knew this "fact" was wrong it meant I was in doubt about the veracity of the whole rest of the book and had to start confirming the details, fact by fact. I wouldn't expect a small child to do that. Factual books should be researched so they do not contain inaccuracies.
Unfortunately, it spends a page or so talking about him as a spurious inspiration for the phrase "the real McCoy". Given that lubricators with his name on them weren't sold until the end of his life, and given that the expression has been attested to before the man was even *born*, that's incredibly unlikely, and a small amount of research would have shown the author that fact. It's even on the back cover that he's the origin of the phrase, and it's not true.
It seems like a small thing, but as I already knew this "fact" was wrong it meant I was in doubt about the veracity of the whole rest of the book and had to start confirming the details, fact by fact. I wouldn't expect a small child to do that. Factual books should be researched so they do not contain inaccuracies.
June 11, 2011
Interesting and informative with soft, detailed illustrations that add visual interest to the well-written text.
It was interesting to learn about his early life as well as his experiences in Detroit where he lived in an integrated neighborhood and his wife, Mary McCoy, was the "only Black charter member of the exclusive Twentieth Century Club, to which the most prominent women in Detroit belonged.". I didn't expect that, we hear so much of the negative that information like that seems to get lost. I'd like to read more about her too.
It was interesting to learn about his early life as well as his experiences in Detroit where he lived in an integrated neighborhood and his wife, Mary McCoy, was the "only Black charter member of the exclusive Twentieth Century Club, to which the most prominent women in Detroit belonged.". I didn't expect that, we hear so much of the negative that information like that seems to get lost. I'd like to read more about her too.
May 1, 2015
This book is a well written biography. This book does not have any awards which I feel like it should. This is about a man named Elijah McCoy who is the inviter of the mechanical lubricator machine. I gave the book five stars because learning about black history has and will always be one of my favorite things. I also loved how we were able to learn about what he’s done in his life. I was able to gain new information about McCoy. This book is interesting and great for black history month or even just learning about inventors from the past. I feel it is more for children in 5th to 8th grade.
March 28, 2010
Blue Ribbon Book
I remember reading this one when I taught third grade (we were learning about inventors in Social Studies and Elijah McCoy was on our list). This biographical text has a nice explanation about a man's life few Americans are familiar with. McCoy was responsible for an incredible amount of patents, one of which prompted people to ask for the "real McCoy," hence beginning a catch phrase. The illustrations help support the text nicely.
I remember reading this one when I taught third grade (we were learning about inventors in Social Studies and Elijah McCoy was on our list). This biographical text has a nice explanation about a man's life few Americans are familiar with. McCoy was responsible for an incredible amount of patents, one of which prompted people to ask for the "real McCoy," hence beginning a catch phrase. The illustrations help support the text nicely.
July 25, 2012
This is a great book about a “hidden” inventor. Not many know who Elijah McCoy was or the great impact he made on history! I really like how the author incorporated the well-known saying “the real McCoy” into the story and explained where it came from! The author did a beautiful job of depicting the times Elijah McCoy lived in and honoring him as an inventor.
March 13, 2014
This one is great for use in the classroom for learning the origins of the phrase "The Real McCoy," and also for Black History Month, or for learning about how inventors work. So many ways to tie it to the curriculum. In some ways, I felt the text was a bit dry, but the illustrations were very good and really brought Elijah McCoy to life.
May 21, 2015
Elijah McCoy the noted black inventor lived on the site for much of his adult life. Born in 1844 to fugitive slaves residing in Canada, McCoy was trained in Scotland as a mechanical engineering, and came to Michigan after the Civil war. Discrimination forced him to become a fireman on the Michigan Central Railroad. In 1872 McCoy patented his first automatic lubricating cup.
December 29, 2016
I had never heard of Elijah McCoy before, so I'm glad I read this book. My only complaint about this book is that it doesn't emphasize enough that McCoy had access to education because his parents escaped slavery and were therefore able to send him to school--something that wouldn't have happened if he grew up in the States.
Read Harder 2016: Read a nonfiction book about science
Read Harder 2016: Read a nonfiction book about science
November 18, 2007
This is the true story behind the saying the real McCoy. The inventor of the oil lubricating cup for the steam engines was a educated black man whose family escaped slavery.
This is perfect for 3rd through 5th grades learning about inventors and the history of our country.
This is perfect for 3rd through 5th grades learning about inventors and the history of our country.
November 30, 2011
we've never heard of elijah mccoy - but we've ridden trains, watered lawns, walked in boots, ironed clothes none of which would have been as easy w/out the inventor of "the real mccoy". fantastic book, the art adds to the story and the author is a real writer.
October 19, 2008
I think that McCoy is a good book to read if you want to find facts about him.
April 16, 2012
Historical scientist/inventor; black history; study of friction. A well-told bio.
May 1, 2016
UOI Every Life Has a Story
May 9, 2011
Elijah McCoy always had advice for the young, "Say in school. Be progressive. Work hard."
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews