A carpenter, builder, and inventor who patented the roller coaster and roller skates, he came to Toledo as a poor carpenter until he sold his invention of the roller skate for a large sum in 1881. In 1883, he invented the first roller coaster, the forerunner of the "Figure 8" and sold the rights on a royalty basis. 

In his last years, he worked on plans for a flying machine. For more on Wood, click here.