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The Real McCoy by Wendy Towle accounts for the life of Elijah McCoy- or "the real McCoy" as the saying goes. The biography narrates McCoy's life from his birth, to his death. The reader is introduced to his parents, who play a big role in his education and success as an inventor. They provided him with the education and tools needed to pursue his talent of inventing. Though he graduated as a "master mechanic and engineer", he was unable to find a high-paying job in the engineering field because of his race. It wasn't until his first major invention- the automatic oil cup- that he found success as an inventor. Later in his life, he married his first wife, Elizabeth, who unfortunately passed away four years later. The year later, he remarried his second wife,Eleanora, who inspired many of his inventions, including the portable ironing board. Unfortunately, once she passed away in 1926, he dedicated the rest of his life to improving his inventions, leading to him dying alone, and without any more money.
Wil Clay did a beautiful job of illustrating the biography. His paintings captured important events of McCoy's life, and gave the reader a realistic visual of McCoy and his inventions.
This would be a good book to incorporate in an exercise in which students write their own timeline, which they may later convert into an autobiography.
Enjoy the timeline of events which outline what happened in the Biography:
Early 1800s
George and Emillia McCoy—former slaves in Kentucky, and parents to Elijah McCoy— made the dangerous trip Canada in hopes of freedom and a new home.
1830s
1837--McCoy’s Father Joined the Canadian Army and fought in the 1837 Rebel War. He received 160 acres of farmland for his loyal service, in which Elijah and his brothers and sisters would later be raised.
1840s
May 2, 1844—McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, Canada.
1850s
Because they realized Elijah had talents for working with tools and machines, they sent saved their money to be able to send him to a school that would offer studies in mechanical engineering, and courses that would teach him how to design his own inventions.
1860s
1860-- At the age of 16, McCoy traveled 3,000 miles to Scotland so that he could study engineering.
Mid 1860s--While away at school, the Civil War took place, and the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. This meant that McCoy could live anywhere in the US as a free man. Once he finished his studies in Scotland, he sailed to America. Although he graduated school as a master mechanic and engineer, he had trouble finding a job because many people still held prejudices against blacks. An educated black man was unheard of, and he only job he was able to pick up was as a fire/oilman for the Michigan Central Railroad.
Late 1860s— Worked as an oilman on the Michigan Central Railroad.
1868--Married Ann Elizabeth.
1870s
1872--Made his first oil cup model, and applied for a patent.
– Wife Ann Elizabeth died.
1873—Remarried to Mary Eleanora Delaney
Late 1800s
McCoy went on to serve as a mechanical consultant to numerous firms, including the Detroit Lubricating Company. In addition to holding such positions, he often offered guidance to young “whippersnappers” as he called them. Elijah McCoy is responsible for inventing many of the devices we use today, including the portable ironing board, water sprinklers, and some rubber heel designs.
1882--Left Ypsilanti and settled in Detroit, Michigan.
Beginning in 1882--Worked Full time on his inventions.
1900s
1916--Developed the graphite lubricator. This invention was the one he was most proud of.
1920--established his own company: The Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company, which manufactured and sold graphite lubricators
1926--Wife, Mary McCoy, died from injuries resulting in a traffic incident that she and Elijah were involved in
1928--Entered the Eloise Infirmary, which was a home for poor, elderly people—which McCoy was after spending the little money he had on perfecting his inventions.
1929--Died alone, with his famous achievements forgotten.
1975--City of Detroit celebrated Elijah McCoy Day by placing an historic marker at the site of his home and by naming a street in his honor.
Wil Clay did a beautiful job of illustrating the biography. His paintings captured important events of McCoy's life, and gave the reader a realistic visual of McCoy and his inventions.
This would be a good book to incorporate in an exercise in which students write their own timeline, which they may later convert into an autobiography.
Enjoy the timeline of events which outline what happened in the Biography:
Early 1800s
George and Emillia McCoy—former slaves in Kentucky, and parents to Elijah McCoy— made the dangerous trip Canada in hopes of freedom and a new home.
1830s
1837--McCoy’s Father Joined the Canadian Army and fought in the 1837 Rebel War. He received 160 acres of farmland for his loyal service, in which Elijah and his brothers and sisters would later be raised.
1840s
May 2, 1844—McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, Canada.
1850s
Because they realized Elijah had talents for working with tools and machines, they sent saved their money to be able to send him to a school that would offer studies in mechanical engineering, and courses that would teach him how to design his own inventions.
1860s
1860-- At the age of 16, McCoy traveled 3,000 miles to Scotland so that he could study engineering.
Mid 1860s--While away at school, the Civil War took place, and the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. This meant that McCoy could live anywhere in the US as a free man. Once he finished his studies in Scotland, he sailed to America. Although he graduated school as a master mechanic and engineer, he had trouble finding a job because many people still held prejudices against blacks. An educated black man was unheard of, and he only job he was able to pick up was as a fire/oilman for the Michigan Central Railroad.
Late 1860s— Worked as an oilman on the Michigan Central Railroad.
1868--Married Ann Elizabeth.
1870s
1872--Made his first oil cup model, and applied for a patent.
– Wife Ann Elizabeth died.
1873—Remarried to Mary Eleanora Delaney
Late 1800s
McCoy went on to serve as a mechanical consultant to numerous firms, including the Detroit Lubricating Company. In addition to holding such positions, he often offered guidance to young “whippersnappers” as he called them. Elijah McCoy is responsible for inventing many of the devices we use today, including the portable ironing board, water sprinklers, and some rubber heel designs.
1882--Left Ypsilanti and settled in Detroit, Michigan.
Beginning in 1882--Worked Full time on his inventions.
1900s
1916--Developed the graphite lubricator. This invention was the one he was most proud of.
1920--established his own company: The Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company, which manufactured and sold graphite lubricators
1926--Wife, Mary McCoy, died from injuries resulting in a traffic incident that she and Elijah were involved in
1928--Entered the Eloise Infirmary, which was a home for poor, elderly people—which McCoy was after spending the little money he had on perfecting his inventions.
1929--Died alone, with his famous achievements forgotten.
1975--City of Detroit celebrated Elijah McCoy Day by placing an historic marker at the site of his home and by naming a street in his honor.
Estimated Reading Level: 2
*Interest Level: K-4
The Real McCoy is a blue ribbon book.
Towle, W., & Clay, W. (1993). The real mccoy: the life of an african -american inventor. New York: Scholastic
ISBN: 0590481029
* Information found on scholastic.com
*Interest Level: K-4
The Real McCoy is a blue ribbon book.
Towle, W., & Clay, W. (1993). The real mccoy: the life of an african -american inventor. New York: Scholastic
ISBN: 0590481029
* Information found on scholastic.com