CONEY ISLAND — Councilman Domenic M. Recchia Jr. recently dedicated “Granville T. Woods Way” at the corner of Stillwell and Mermaid avenues, honoring the legacy of Woods, who pioneered the technology that keeps the subway system safe.
Councilman Recchia was joined by MTA NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts; Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny; David Byer T’yer, curator of the African-American Museum; a representative from the office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; members of the community, and students from P.S. 335, the Granville T. Woods School.
The councilman was also joined by David L. Head, a transit worker who oversees the black history committee of the Local 100 of the Transport Workers Union. Councilman Recchia thanked Head for spearheading the effort to rename the street.
Woods, born in Ohio in 1856, was a prolific African-American inventor credited with creating more than a dozen devices that contribute to railroad safety, including a telegraph that allowed trains to communicate with each other, and with dispatching stations. He also created an apparatus that paved the way for the first true standard roller coaster. His invention debuted in Coney Island during the summer of 1909. He died a year later.
“Mr. Woods’ inventions were well-received, being purchased by companies such as American Bell Telephone Company, General Electric and Westinghouse Air Brake Company,” said Councilman Recchia. “He went on to become one of history’s most honored and notable inventors, despite the many obstacles he faced as an African-American man during the 20th century.”
The councilman added: “He was especially important for the Coney Island community, because without him, we wouldn’t have things like the beautiful railway station on Stillwell Avenue, or the legendary Cyclone roller coaster.”
Head thanked the councilman for making the street-renaming possible, and expressed hope that the street sign would call attention to Woods’ history, explaining that the inventor was a microcosm for influential African-Americans whose contributions were “ignored and omitted.”
“This is a momentous occasion for Coney Island and the legacy of Granville T. Woods,” said Head.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2008
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