Nestled in Sevran, Place George Westinghouse whispers tales of an American industrialist who left an indelible mark on both sides of the Atlantic. Here, in this quiet square, we honor the man whose inventions revolutionized not just railways, but also the very way we power our world. George Westinghouse, born in 1846, wasn’t just an inventor. He was a visionary. He saw the potential of air brakes to transform rail travel, making it safer and more efficient. His air brake system, patented in 1869, addressed the dangerous and inefficient process of manually applying brakes on trains. This innovation allowed for longer trains and drastically improved railway safety. His impact on the railway industry resonates even here, in France, where his air brake technology was adopted early on. In 1878, the first foreign air brake company was started in Sevran, France, a testament to the global reach of Westinghouse’s ingenuity. Place George Westinghouse stands as a reminder of this transatlantic connection, a symbol of innovation that bridged continents. But Westinghouse’s vision extended beyond the railways. He recognized the transformative potential of alternating current (AC) for electric power distribution. While Thomas Edison championed direct current (DC), Westinghouse saw the future in AC. He founded the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1886, sparking the “War of the Currents” with Edison. Westinghouse’s AC system ultimately prevailed, lighting the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and powering the first large-scale AC power plant at Niagara Falls in 1895. Here, at Place George Westinghouse, we celebrate a man whose inventions continue to shape our world. His legacy lives on, not just in the technology we use, but also in the spirit of innovation he embodied. He wasn’t just an inventor. He was a pioneer who dared to challenge the status quo. He was a builder who connected continents. And he was a visionary who illuminated the future.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.