George Westinghouse was an American inventor and entrepreneur known for his pioneering work in the electrical industry. Born in 1846, he founded the Westinghouse Electric Company in 1886, revolutionizing the manufacturing of electrical equipment. Westinghouse's most notable invention was the air brake system for trains, vastly improving railway safety. His innovations in alternating current (AC) electricity also led to the development of the first AC power system, which competed with Thomas Edison's direct current (DC) system. Westinghouse's contributions to technology and engineering have had a lasting impact on modern society.