Elijah McCoy was an African-American inventor and engineer who developed many inventions that revolutionized the railroad industry. He held 57 United States patents and his name is synonymous with ingenuity, hard work, and success. His life and career serve as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through determination and perseverance. In addition to his impressive list of accomplishments, Elijah McCoy also shared many insightful quotes that remain timeless today. His words of wisdom offer valuable advice on topics such as work ethic, ambition, and the pursuit of excellence.Elijah McCoy was an African-American inventor who was born in 1844 in Canada. He is known for his invention of the automatic lubricating cup, which used a combination of gravity and capillary action to deliver oil to machines without manual intervention. This invention revolutionized the efficiency of steam locomotives and made McCoy a millionaire. He also invented over 50 other devices, including an ironing board, lawn sprinkler and folding bed. In addition to his inventions, McCoy is well-known for his many inspiring quotes. Here are some of Elijah McCoy’s famous quotes:
“The way to succeed is to take the jobs no one else wants to do.”
“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”
“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.”
“Success comes from taking the initiative and following up… persisting… eloquently expressing the depth of your love.”
“Be true to yourself and always keep learning.”
Inventor Elijah McCoy’s Famous Quotes
Elijah McCoy, a pioneering African-American inventor, was well known for his famous quotes. He once said, “The best way to get ahead is to find out what is going on and get your share of it.” This quote reflects his ambition and drive to succeed despite the racial challenges he faced in life.
McCoy also said, “Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path; the most valuable discoveries are made that way.” This quote emphasizes the importance of taking risks and exploring new ideas in order to achieve success.
He also said, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” This quote inspires us to take initiative when faced with a problem or challenge and not rely on others to do it for us.
Finally, McCoy said, “Inventing is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration.” This quote reminds us that successful inventors have to put in long hours of hard work in order to achieve their goals.
Inspirational Elijah McCoy Quotes
Elijah McCoy was an African-American inventor and engineer whose inventions revolutionized the railroad industry in the late 19th century. He is best known for inventing a lubricator that allowed trains to run at faster speeds and with fewer stops, which he patented in 1872. Throughout his life, McCoy had a passion for innovation and was constantly working on new inventions. His legacy lives on in the phrase “the real McCoy”, which has come to mean “the real thing”. Here are some of his most inspirational quotes:
“I am determined to make such improvements as shall secure to me the reward of invention and discovery.”
“Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by eliminating our weaknesses.”
“Life is not made up of minutes, hours, days, weeks or months but of moments. Live each moment completely and the future will take care of itself.”
“It takes hard work and dedication to achieve success. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.”
“An invention can only be called such when it has been put into practical use.”
“Innovation is necessary for success; without it you will fall behind.”
“It’s not enough to just have an idea; you need to take action and turn it into something tangible.”
Elijah McCoy – Wise Sayings
Elijah McCoy was an African-American inventor and engineer who is best known for his inventions related to lubrication of steam engines. He became a highly respected and sought after mechanical engineer and inventor, earning him the nickname “The Real McCoy”. In addition to his many inventions, Elijah McCoy was also known for his wise sayings. Here are some of the most popular:
“The first step to success is a good plan.”
“Don’t be afraid to take on challenges; they are opportunities in disguise.”
“You can’t be successful unless you have the courage to take risks.”
“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”
“Success is not achieved by luck; it takes hard work and dedication.”
“The secret of success is determination and perseverance.”
“It’s not what you know, but how you use what you know that counts.”
“Success comes from doing what others won’t do or can’t do.”
Innovation
Elijah McCoy was an inventor who believed in innovation and hard work. He held over 50 patents for inventions, including the automatic lubricator for steam engines. His invention revolutionized the railroad industry and made him a household name. McCoy’s innovative spirit allowed him to create products that were both useful and efficient. He was an advocate for making sure that machines were well-built and operated correctly. He once said “I’d rather make something that works well than something that looks good.” This quote speaks to his dedication to innovation and practicality.
Perseverance
McCoy was an advocate of perseverance, believing that hard work would eventually lead to success. He often spoke about the importance of staying the course even when times were tough. He once said, “The harder I worked, the luckier I got.” This quote speaks to his determination to stay focused on his goals despite any obstacles he may encounter along the way. His commitment to perseverance was an inspiration to many and is why he is remembered today as an influential figure in history.
Reflections on Life
Elijah McCoy’s reflections on life have stood the test of time. He believed in never giving up, no matter how difficult a situation may seem. He also stressed the importance of being open-minded and accepting change as it comes along. One of his most famous quotes is “If you want something different, you have to do something different.” This quote reflects his belief that progress can only be achieved through taking risks and pushing boundaries. His reflections on life still hold true today and are a valuable reminder of how important it is to keep striving for progress in our lives.
Motivation
Elijah McCoy was an inventor and engineer who lived in the 19th century. He is best known for his inventions that revolutionized industrial efficiency and helped create the modern world. His inventions, such as the lubricating cup, were so successful that they became a part of everyday life, and the phrase “the real McCoy” was coined to signify something of high quality and reliability. He should be remembered not only for his inventions but also for his inspiring words of motivation. McCoy believed that success comes from hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He said “If you want something done right, do it yourself” – a phrase that has become an inspiring motto for many people all over the world. He also believed in making sure that all of his efforts were focused on achieving a goal: “I had no time to waste in idle pleasures; I had ambition and energy enough to make me work all day long.”
Wisdom
Elijah McCoy was a wise man who understood the importance of learning from experience. He said “Experience is the best teacher; it teaches us how to succeed and how to avoid mistakes” which is a great lesson for everyone who wants to succeed in life. He also believed in taking every opportunity presented to him: “Opportunity does not come often; when it does, take advantage of it!” His words of wisdom can help guide us as we navigate through life’s challenges and strive for success. As he once said “The more we work, study, and develop our resources, the greater will be our reward.”
Elijah McCoy’s words are still relevant today and can provide inspiration and motivation to anyone who wants to make something out of their lives. His wisdom can help us stay focused on our goals so that we can achieve them with hard work and dedication.
Conclusion
Elijah McCoy’s life was an inspiring reminder of the power of hard work and dedication. His many inventions, patents, and business ventures demonstrate that with perseverance and ingenuity, anything is possible. His quotes, which are still widely shared today, provide insight into his life experiences and serve as a source of inspiration for all who strive to reach their goals. McCoy’s legacy lives on in the many products he invented and in the minds of those inspired by his words.
Through Elijah McCoy’s life story, we can learn to never give up on our dreams and never stop pushing ourselves to achieve what we set out to do. The world is a better place because of McCoy’s contributions and his spirit will continue to inspire us for generations to come.