True story of Elijah McCoy, who invented the self-lubricating oiling device for locomotives. Educated in Scotland as an engineer and the son of runaway slaves who settled in Canada, Elijah was not able to secure a job as an engineer. So he took what was offered to him - a fireman on the trains. Having to stop the train every few miles to jump off and oil the moving parts, Elijah was motivated to invent a quicker way to lubricate the moving parts. He lived in Ypsilanti, Michigan and died in Wayne, Michigan. A street in Detroit is named for him. Inspire your children to use their creativity as they read about this resourceful African-American. Author - Wendy Towle, Illustrator, Wil Clay. Ages 6-10