George Westinghouse was a man who refused to settle for “good enough.” Born on October 6, 1846, he became one of America’s greatest inventors and industrialists, a name forever linked with safety, innovation, and light itself. From the invention of the railroad air brake to the creation of the first natural gas distribution system, Westinghouse transformed how the world moved and powered itself.
While Thomas Edison fought to keep electricity confined to city blocks, Westinghouse looked to the horizon. By championing alternating current and teaming up with Nikola Tesla, he lit the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and proved that AC could carry power across miles, changing history forever.
In this episode of Dave Does History, we explore the life, work, and vision of the man whose name became a promise: “You can be sure if it’s Westinghouse.” His ideas didn’t just shape an industry. They built the modern world.