Final answer:
Elijah McCoy is best known for his inventions and contributions to the field of mechanical engineering, particularly the automatic lubricator.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elijah McCoy is best known for his inventions and contributions to the field of mechanical engineering.
One of his most famous inventions is the automatic lubricator, also known as the oil-drip cup. This device improved the efficiency of machinery by automatically delivering oil to lubricate moving parts.
McCoy's invention was so significant and reliable that people started using the term "the real McCoy" to refer to something that is genuine and of high quality.