Thomas E. Murray

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Thomas E.Murray
"Let me tackle the job the other man says cannot be done." - Thomas E. Murray, New York Times (letter 1929)
Born	October 21, 1860 (1860-10-21) Albany, New York
Died	August 21, 1929 (aged 68) Wickapogue, LI, New York
Occupation	Inventor, entrepreneur
Religious beliefs	Roman Catholic
Spouse	Catherine Murray
Website http://temurray.com

Thomas E. Murray (October 21, 1860 – July 21, 1929) was an American inventor and businessman who developed Power Plants for New York City as well as many electrical devices which influenced life around the world, including the dimmer switch and screw-in fuse.

Murray is considered one of the most prolific inventors in history after Edison, holding 462 U.S. patents in his name.

[edit] Early life

Thomas E. Murray was born in Albany, New York, and was was one of 12 children. Upon the death of his father when he was nine, he got three jobs to help support his family.

[edit] beginning his career

In 1875 he was an apprentice at the Albany Iron & Machine works.

In 1881, at the age of 21, he became the Chief Engineer of the Albany Waterworks.

In 1887, Anthony N. Brady hires Murray to run the power station of the Albany Municipal Gas Co,

[edit] power stations

Murray was responsible for the power stations that powered New York for the first half of the 20th century.

[edit] Murray Manufacturing

Arthur Williams, Thomas Edison, Jown W. Lieb, Nicholas F. Brady, and Thomas E. Murray in the office of Mr. Murray 1908

[edit] Death

Thomas E. Murray died on July 21, 1929, at "Wickapogue", his summer estate in Southampton, Long Island, NY Wickapogue, New York.

[edit] Honors and awards given to Murray

In 1910, Murray won the Edward Longstreth Medal from the Franklin Institute.

[edit] See also

• List of Murray patents

[edit] Biographies

• "Real Lace," by Stephen Birmingham, Harper and Row, New York, 1973, ISBN 0-06-010336-1

[edit] External links

Archives

• Thomas E. Murray