On this date in 1892, Andrew Beard, an African American inventor, was granted Patent No. 478,271 for his rotary engine design. His invention aimed to improve the efficiency of engines, particularly in the realm of steam-powered machinery. While Beard is perhaps better known for his patent for the improved railroad car coupler (which was widely adopted in the rail industry), his work on the rotary engine also demonstrated his inventive skills.
Beard’s inventions played an important role in advancing mechanical engineering and improving safety and efficiency in various industries. His patent for the rotary engine, though not as commercially successful as his coupler design, is part of his legacy as an influential inventor.
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