- The Interview
Hello my name is Quinton King and I would like to interview you Granville T. Woods.
G- It would be my pleasure to let you.
Q- So how are you doing today Mr. Woods?
G- I’m doing just fine.
Q- OK then, let’s get this interview started!
G- Alright, I'm ready ask anything you wants and I will do my best to answer it as well as possible.
Q- What events early in your life might indicate or have sparked you to have an interest in the science field?
G- What inspired me was my father. My father worked in a machine shop that made repaired railroad equipment, speed equipment for carriages. My father would pay workers to teach me electrical concepts. Then after that I became chief engineer of all the steamers in all just of two years.
Q- That’s nice.
G- yeah it was, so next question please.
Q- What role did mentors play in developing talents/interests.
G- Once again my father played a big role in mentor ship. I had watched my father for the longest time and enjoyed what he done, so I just took the same path as him. And now I enjoy what I do since I have taken that path.
Q- OK. What was the state of knowledge that existed during the areas of science when you entered the field?
G- The state of knowledge was Industrialization. That’s why most people worked with railroads or energy because it was nothing but industrial work. And also as being as intelligent as me got me to move up two starts with my fathers work. I had lots of skill in what I did.
Q- Alright next question, What were some major accomplishments of you, and what methodologies were used for science to uphold?
G- Some of my major accomplishments were, Being called the “Black Edison”. Also I made the combination of the telephone and the telegraph. I made the multiplex railway system, is which when the railroad cars don’t have to use wiring systems to be able to operate. I was very successful in most of my inventions. Those were mainly my main accomplishments.Q- That’s a very excellent job. Very cool to know.
G- Yeah, OK next question.
Q- OK, what was your individual limitations as a scientist or as a person?
G- My limitations were to never think that my things are better than everyone else’s. Never to create nor destroy an invention unless fixed, or tested more than 7 times. Never to disrespect my mother or father, and made them both proud for having a son like me. Those were my limitations as a person and a scientist.
Q- What major events were going on in your life?
G- WWI was just ending and WWII was about to begin. The economy was poor but other than that really nothing. Very boring.
Q- Yeah, now these days nothing is boring.
G- Got that right, OK next question.
Q- OK, What musicians, artists, and writers were working at the same time as you?
G- I remember listening to Willie Nelson, John Lennon. Artist would be Picasso. Writers would be Mark Twain, George Orwell, Cervantes. Those are all the major people in the music business, art and writers.
Q- I have read some of those authors and even listened to some of the music singers you listed also.
G- Yeah lots of people know them and listen to them.
Q- What were the basic demographics at the time that you were working?
G- That every thing was overpopulated area’s, or everyone was racist. Not a lot of people had much money. Mostly everything was cheap. Lots of viruses, sicknesses going around killing people. Serious thing a lot of tragedies.
Q- Oh sounds bad.
G- Very bad.
Q- OK almost done here two more questions!
G- OK.
Q- How were gender and class roles defined during the time frame?
G- That children were outspoken, couldn't work had them doing no labor. Women wouldn’t get treated right. A man could be anything he wanted. A women could go to college for 3 years a man could drop out of high school and get a better job than her or, they could go for the same job and they would chose the man over the women. So women were basically told you stay at home with the children. That’s how it was classified.
Q- Wow that’s pretty deep.
G- Yes very.
Q- OK well that’s the end of the interview, thank you for your time and cooperation with me.
G- Your welcome.
That's interesting... I also grew up in Cincinnati, OH but was born in Dayton, OH. I noticed in your picture that your person was black. How did you feel about being a African-American inventor? How where you treated? I remember when I had tried to enroll at Nelson Musical College and was denied admission because I was African-American. The only way I could get an education was if I worked as a janitor. I took the offer, but I was upset about being denied because of my race. I see you invented the multiplex railroad system, that is impressive. We are the same in a way because we didn't invent a new style we just create another version. Such as, railroad systems were already invented you just created another style that didn't involve wiring system to operate. I didn't create a style of music but instead different music.
ReplyDeleteWe have much in common, since you had to overcome racism to succeed in your field of work, and I had to overcome sexism. How did racism affect your work? Another thing we have in common is the key role our fathers played in our success. My father was very adamant about myself becoming a pianist like him.
ReplyDeleteYour work is very admirable!! Hope to hear from you!
It is amazing you were so talented as to be called the "Black Edison." It seems like once people realized what a genius you were, you got the respect you deserved. And if you were not respected back then, you sure are now!
ReplyDeleteYou obviously had a very determined and sturdy mindset. You and I are very alike in the fact that both of us always continued on no matter the limitations and restrictions. I really appreciate the fact that you didnt focus on creating new things, but improving what has already been made. The multiplex railway system surely must have improved efficiency as well as production costs, which really should have helped out the manufacturers.
Our creative process were not very similar at all,actually you and I were extremely different.Our major difference was that while you had your father as a mentor my father was no where close to being one for me if anything he drug me down farther then i was.All in all i believe you really are the "Black Edison" you've accomplished so much in your life and i truly admire you for that.I have a question for you though How much was your work influenced by the industrialization movement?I wasn't affected by that as much as you would have been the things that influence me were my life experiences which weren't all that good if you ask me
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