Granville T. Woods

A Columbus Legacy

An American Story

A Short Film Presented by the Rickenbacker Woods Foundation

Granville T. Woods: A Columbus Legacy, An American Story celebrates the rediscovery of one of Ohio’s greatest inventors — Granville T. Woods, a visionary whose electrical innovations helped power America into the 20th century.

Produced by the Rickenbacker Woods Foundation as part of America 250-Ohio, this fundraising promo previews a full-length documentary currently in development. The story follows new historical discoveries made by Columbus researchers and students that reveal Woods’ true birthdate, his ties to early African-American communities, and his enduring impact on the industrial age.

Production

Producer / Director / Editor: Mary Rathke
Videographer: Ben Bays
Drone: Ryan Staples
Teleprompter: Diana Bergemann
Animation: Luna Zamora

Research & Development

Columbus Metropolitan Library Local History & Genealogy — Angela O’Neal, Nicole Sutton, Aaron O’Donovan
Doreen Uhas Sauer • Michael Aaron • Mary Rathke • Nettie Ferguson • Conrade Hinds • Jeff Darbee

Photography & Film Archives

Columbus Metropolitan Library • Ohio History Connection • Donald Kaiser Film Collection • The Brooklyn Historic Railway Association • David Rumsey Map Collection • Jeremy Zallen

Music Courtesy of Soundstripe.com

“On Your Side” by Reveille
“Cool Breeze” by Cody Martin
“Sir Francis Drake” by Cody Martin
“Threads of Gold” by Alsever Lake
“Into The Storm” by Moments
“Stargazers” by Cody Martin

Granville T. Woods is funded in part by the America 250-Ohio Commission.

⚡ Donate to Finish the Film