William Woodnut Griscom

William Woodnut Griscom (1851–1897) was an American inventor responsible for introducing electric motors for the purpose of marine propulsion. With some 40 patents to his name, Griscom also founded the Electro-Dynamic Company in 1880, based in Philadelphia. Much information in regards to Electro-Dynamic Company (and its origins) has not been made altogether clear. In 1892, Isaac Rice bailed Electro-Dynamic out following a bankruptcy and became a co-owner. Two years after Griscom died in an 1897 hunting accident, his company was acquired by Rice's new Electric Boat Company. He was awarded the John Scott Medal of The Franklin Institute in 1882. He is buried at the Church of the Redeemer Cemetery in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.