# George Westinghouse

> American inventor and businessman (1846–1914)

**Wikidata**: [Q262367](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q262367)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Westinghouse)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/george-westinghouse

## Summary
George Westinghouse was an American inventor and businessman who lived from 1846 to 1914. He is best known for founding the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1886 and pioneering early alternating current (AC) power systems, which became a cornerstone of modern electrical infrastructure.

## Biography
- **Born:** October 6, 1846
- **Nationality:** American (United States)
- **Education:** Union College
- **Known for:** Founding Westinghouse Electric Corporation, pioneering alternating current (AC) power systems, and inventing railway safety equipment
- **Employer(s):** Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Founder), Westinghouse Air Brake Company (Founder), Union Switch & Signal (Founder)
- **Field(s):** Electrical engineering, manufacturing, railway signaling, business

## Contributions
- **Westinghouse Electric Corporation (1886):** Founded this manufacturing company in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, to advance electrical engineering. The company pioneered alternating current (AC) power systems, providing a more efficient alternative to direct current (DC) systems, and made significant contributions to electric lighting and industrial applications.
- **Westinghouse Air Brake Company (1869):** Established this manufacturing company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, focusing on railway safety and efficiency. The company became a key subsidiary and contributor to the industrial landscape.
- **Union Switch & Signal (1881):** Founded this supplier of railway signaling equipment, systems, and services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, enhancing railway operations and safety.
- **British Westinghouse:** Established as a subsidiary of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, this entity later became part of the General Electric Company, extending the technological impact of the Westinghouse brand globally.
- **AC Power Systems:** Developed and promoted alternating current technology, which shaped the modern electrical landscape and influenced industries and households worldwide.

## FAQs
**What companies did George Westinghouse found?**
George Westinghouse founded the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1886, the Westinghouse Air Brake Company in 1869, and Union Switch & Signal in 1881.

**What is George Westinghouse most famous for inventing?**
He is most famous for pioneering alternating current (AC) power systems through the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, which laid the foundation for modern electrical infrastructure.

**Where did George Westinghouse go to college?**
He attended Union College, a private liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York.

**What awards did George Westinghouse receive?**
He received the Edison Medal presented by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the John Fritz Medal for scientific or industrial achievement, and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

**When was George Westinghouse born?**
He was born on October 6, 1846, and passed away on March 12, 1914.

## Why They Matter
George Westinghouse matters because his innovations fundamentally shaped the modern industrial and technological world. By championing alternating current (AC) power systems, he enabled the efficient transmission of electricity over long distances, which became the standard for global electrical infrastructure. His work in railway safety through the air brake and signaling systems revolutionized transportation, making it safer and more efficient. As an entrepreneur who assumed the risks of founding and managing multiple major enterprises, he drove the industrialization of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The companies he established, particularly Westinghouse Electric, played a crucial role in the development of electric lighting and industrial applications, leaving a legacy that continues to influence electrical engineering and manufacturing practices today.

## Notable For
- Founding Westinghouse Electric Corporation (1886)
- Founding Westinghouse Air Brake Company (1869)
- Founding Union Switch & Signal (1881)
- Pioneering alternating current (AC) power systems
- Receiving the Edison Medal
- Receiving the John Fritz Medal
- Induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
- Establishing British Westinghouse
- Affiliation with Metropolitan-Vickers
- Affiliation with WABCO Vehicle Control Systems

## Body

### Identity and Education
George Westinghouse was an American inventor and businessman, born on October 6, 1846, and deceased on March 12, 1914. As a human and citizen of the United States, he was educated at Union College, a private liberal arts college in Schenectady, New York. His professional identity was defined by his roles as an inventor—a person who devises new devices, methods, or processes—and an entrepreneur, a person who owns and operates a business while assuming the risks of profit or loss.

### Business Ventures and Founding
Westinghouse's career was marked by the founding of several major industrial companies. He established the Westinghouse Air Brake Company in 1869, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which focused on manufacturing equipment to improve railway safety and efficiency. In 1881, he founded Union Switch & Signal, also headquartered in Pittsburgh, which served as a supplier of railway signaling equipment, systems, and services. His most prominent venture was the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, founded on January 8, 1886, in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. This company was headquartered in Pittsburgh and became a pioneer in the field of electrical engineering.

### Innovations and Industrial Impact
Through the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Westinghouse pioneered early alternating current (AC) power systems. This development provided a more efficient and reliable alternative to the direct current (DC) systems prevalent at the time. The company also made significant contributions to electric lighting technologies and industrial applications, which helped shape the modern electrical landscape. These advancements influenced industries and households worldwide, driving the industrialization of various sectors. The corporation's work in industrial applications enhanced manufacturing and production processes, reflecting a commitment to technological progress.

### Subsidiaries and Affiliations
Westinghouse expanded his influence through the creation of subsidiaries and affiliations with other organizations. The Westinghouse Electric Corporation established British Westinghouse, which later became part of the General Electric Company, further extending his global presence. He was also affiliated with Metropolitan-Vickers, a rolling stock manufacturer founded in 1899, and WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, a company founded in 2007. These entities contributed to the broad scope of his impact on manufacturing and transportation.

### Recognition and Legacy
Westinghouse received significant recognition for his scientific and industrial achievements. He was awarded the Edison Medal, presented by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the John Fritz Medal, an American award for scientific or industrial achievement. He was also honored by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, an American award for inventors. The Westinghouse Electric Corporation dissolved in 2000, transitioning into the Westinghouse Electric Company, which shifted its focus to nuclear power. Despite this transition, the legacy of Westinghouse's innovations in AC power, electric lighting, and railway safety endures as a foundational element of modern infrastructure.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. The Peerage
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Find a Grave
5. [Source](https://www.ieee.org/content/dam/ieee-org/ieee/web/org/about/awards/recipients/edison-rl.pdf)
6. [Source](https://www.smenet.org/Professional-Development/Awards-Competitions/Award-Recipients/John-Fritz-Medal-Award)
7. National Inventors Hall of Fame
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. National Archives Catalog
10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
11. SNAC
12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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15. IdRef
16. CONOR.SI
17. Quora