In honor of Black History Month, we honor Andrew Jackson Beard, a Black inventor who made rail cars better and safer for everyone.
Andrew Jackson Beard was an inventor who held patents for a rotary steam engine and is best known for his improvements to an existing coupler system used to connect rail cars together. His “Jenny Coupler” is recognized as the first automatic coupler in wide use in the U.S.
Beard’s ideas helped change how trains operate, making them safer and more useful. His hard work empowers us with the freedom to move.
