George Westinghouse

Definition

George Westinghouse was an American entrepreneur and engineer who invented the railway air brake and was a pioneer in the electrical industry. He is best known for promoting alternating-current technology over direct-current.

Analogy

Consider George Westinghouse as one of those music producers who discovers new talent (in this case AC power) and helps them rise to fame despite competition from established stars (like DC power).

Related terms

Air Brake System: Invented by Westinghouse, this system uses compressed air to allow trains to stop safely and quickly.

Nikola Tesla: A Serbian-American inventor who worked with Westinghouse on developing AC power systems.

Alternating Current (AC): An electric current that periodically reverses direction. It's what powers most homes and businesses.