Tech History Made on March 5, 1872

On this day in 1872 the patent was filed for the first railway air brake system. George Westinghouse was 22 when he invented the air brake and only 25 when patented. The air brake worked using pipes, reservoirs and specially designed valves. The pipe ran the length of the train with flexible connections at each car. The system was flawless because if a pipe broke the brakes would be applied stopping the train. Westinghouse developed the system after seeing a train wreck in which both conductors could see the other but could not apply the brakes fast enough. Men had to run on top of the train and apply the brakes on each car individually. The Westinghouse Air Brake Company (WABCO) was formed to produce and sell the invention. It took no time for the system to be widely used and is the basis for many train braking systems of today.