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Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience will be closed Monday, March 16, for a day of staff learning and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Hydrostatic Lubricator for Locomotives, circa 1920

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Artifact Overview

Inventor Elijah McCoy developed a mechanical lubricator to oil the many moving parts on a steam locomotive. McCoy's device automatically deposited measured amounts of oil, reducing the need for crews to oil parts manually. This model, from about 1920, is an improved version of McCoy's original design patented in 1872.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Lubricator

Date Made

circa 1920

Creators

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Invented by Elijah McCoy.

Location

On Loan - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (Detroit, MI)

Object ID

31.2039.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Brass (Alloy)
Nickel (Metal)
Glass (Material)

Dimensions

Height: 25.25 in
Width: 8.5 in
Length: 9 in

Keywords
Hydrostatic Lubricator for Locomotives, circa 1920