George Westinghouse Memorial

George Westinghouse Memorial. The George Westinghouse Memorial is a tribute to the life and achievements of George Westinghouse, a renowned American inventor and industrialist, who founded the Westinghouse Electric Company and developed the air brake system for railroads. The memorial is situated in Schadyside, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, near the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. It is a notable example of art deco architecture, designed by Frank Vittor, and features a large bronze statue of George Westinghouse surrounded by granite and limestone.

● History

The George Westinghouse Memorial was dedicated in 1930, six years after the death of George Westinghouse, who passed away on March 12, 1914, in New York City. The memorial was commissioned by the Westinghouse Electric Company and designed by Frank Vittor, a Pittsburgh-based architect. The construction of the memorial involved the use of granite and limestone from Quarryville, Pennsylvania, and bronze from the American Bronze Company of Philadelphia. The memorial was built to honor George Westinghouse's contributions to the development of the railroad industry, including his work on the air brake system, which was first used on the Panhandle Railroad and later adopted by railroads across the United States, including the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

● Design_and_Construction

The George Westinghouse Memorial features a large bronze statue of George Westinghouse standing on a granite pedestal, surrounded by limestone walls and granite benches. The memorial is designed in the art deco style, which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and features geometric shapes and ornate details, similar to those found in the Chrysler Building in New York City and the Empire State Building. The statue of George Westinghouse was cast by the American Bronze Company of Philadelphia and features George Westinghouse standing with his arms crossed, looking out over the city of Pittsburgh. The memorial also features inscriptions and plaques honoring George Westinghouse's achievements, including his work on the air brake system and his role in the development of the Westinghouse Electric Company, which later became part of the CBS Corporation.

● Significance

The George Westinghouse Memorial is significant not only as a tribute to George Westinghouse but also as a notable example of art deco architecture in Pittsburgh. The memorial is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a historic landmark by the City of Pittsburgh. The memorial is also a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from across the United States and around the world, including students from Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh. The memorial is also a reminder of George Westinghouse's contributions to the development of the railroad industry, which played a crucial role in the growth and development of the United States, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, during the Industrial Revolution and the Gilded Age.

● Location_and_Access

The George Westinghouse Memorial is located in Schadyside, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, near the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. The memorial is situated in a park-like setting, surrounded by trees and gardens, and is accessible by foot or by car. The memorial is also accessible by public transportation, including buses operated by the Port Authority of Allegheny County and trains operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Visitors to the memorial can also explore the surrounding neighborhoods, including Oakland and Squirrel Hill, which feature a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, such as the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

● Legacy_of_George_Westinghouse

The George Westinghouse Memorial is a testament to the lasting legacy of George Westinghouse, who played a significant role in the development of the railroad industry and the growth of the United States. George Westinghouse's contributions to the development of the air brake system and the Westinghouse Electric Company helped to shape the course of American history, particularly during the Industrial Revolution and the Gilded Age. Today, the Westinghouse Electric Company is part of the CBS Corporation, and George Westinghouse's legacy continues to be felt in the railroad industry and beyond, with his innovations and achievements inspiring new generations of inventors, engineers, and entrepreneurs, including those at Google, Microsoft, and General Electric. The memorial serves as a reminder of the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in shaping the course of history, and the impact that one person can have on the world, as seen in the lives of other notable inventors and industrialists, such as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Andrew Carnegie.