George Westinghouse — AC Power, Air Brakes, Safety Pioneer

**George Westinghouse** was the Industrial Revolution's most underrated titan — the man who electrified the world (by backing Tesla's AC system over Edison's DC), made railroad travel safe (by inventing the air brake), and treated his workers with a decency that was radical for his era. Born in 1846 in Central Bridge, New York, to a farm equipment manufacturer, Westinghouse served in both the Union Army and Navy during the Civil War (enlisting at 15, lying about his age), attended Union College briefly, and at age 21 received his first patent — for a rotary steam engine. By 22, he had invented the railroad air brake, the innovation that would make his first fortune and save uncountable lives.