Andrew Jackson Beard

Plow

Jenny Coupler

Rotary Steam Engine

Andrew Beard spent the first fifteen years of his life as a slave on a small farm in Alabama. A year after he was emancipated, he married and became a farmer in a small city outside of Birmingham. While in Birmingham, he was able to develop and champion his first invention (a plow).

Jackson was born a slave on 03-29-1849 in Jefferson County, Alabama.

He died in 1921

Andrew Beard Did Not Have A Legal Education

Born as a slave in 1849 on a plantation in Woodland, Alabama, Andrew Beard was a farmer, carpenter, blacksmith, railroad worker, businessman and an inventor. When he was a farmer near Birmingham, he thought up the idea of inventing a plow. In 1881, he patented one of his plows, which he sold for $4,000 three years later. In 1887, he invented another plow, sold it and used the proceeds to finance a profitable real estate business. In 1892, he patented his rotary engine.

While working in the railroad yards, Andrew suffered a serious accident when he was crushed between two cars while linking them. He lost a leg in the process. Car coupling was an extremely dangerous procedure. Many railroad men lost their lives and limbs while working this job. This fueled Beard's resolve and imagination to create a device that linked cars automatically.

On November 23, 1897 he obtained a patent for his railroad car coupler—the "Jenny Coupler." In that same year, he sold his patent rights to a New York firm for $50,000, which was a substantial sum at that time. The device, improved in 1899, was the precursor of today's linking mechanism.

Beard received a patent relating to the automatic coupler.

I am amazed at Andrew Beard's determination. He was born a slave, and he knew how it felt to be one, so he made a plow to help make it easier for other slaves. He knew how it felt to be hurt by the car coupler, so he invented the Jenny Coupler to keep other couplers safe.

How did Andrew Beard displayed REV'D qualities?

• Respect~ Andrew respected his slave owner by not trying to run away, but inventing stuff, and making money to free himself.

• Excel~ Andrew excelled because he went from a slave since birth, to making a major difference in the world.

• Value~ Andrew showed his value by showing people you don't have to be a professional, an educated person, or a white to make a difference.

• Dedication~ Andrew dedicated himself to help others. He helped make the plow to help slaves, and the Jenny Coupler to help other coupler workers.

The world would be different for slaves, who have to do plow work, and for coupler workers who would loose limbs and lives just to provide money for families.

Inventions

Andrew Invented The Plow In 1884, A Rotary Steam Engine In 1892, And An Improvement To Railroad Cart Couplers Called "Jenny Coupler."

Andrew Jackson Beard

By: Kaitlyn Williams

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