14 Lesser-Known Black Americans Who Changed Our Country For the Better

Elijah McCoy was born in Canada to runaway slaves, but he moved to the United States at a young age and became a dual citizen. He invented and patented an automatic lubrication system for steam engine locomotives, which improved locomotive output and efficiency. While other similar systems existed, McCoy's system was so effective that engineers would ask for it by name. This allegedly coined the expression "the real McCoy," which is still in use today.