Dr. Robinson’s Record From Wesleyan University
William Robinson, B.A., 1865; M.A., 1868, Alpha Delta Phi. Ph.D. Boston University, 1907. Born November 22, 1840, in Ireland.
Principal of High School, Ansonia, Conn., 1865-66. In the oil region, Pennsylvania, 1866. Taught in Stamford, Conn., 1867. Principal of Spring Valley Academy, N.Y., 1867-69. Engaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania, 1869-72. President and General Manager of the Robinson Electric Railway Signal Company, 1873. Engaged in business in Boston, Mass., 1875-81. Organized the Union Electric Signal Company, 1878. Traveled in Europe, Egypt and Palestine for fifteen months, 1879-80. Inventor of the Robinson wireless electric railway signal system, of the Robinson radial car truck, of the coaster brake used on bicycles, of roller bearing skates, and of a repeating telephone. Engaged in developing and practising electric engineering. Author: History of Automatic Electric and Electrically Controlled Fluid Pressure Signal Systems for Railroads.
Died January 2, 1921, Brooklyn, New York.