(1831-1901) US engineer and entrepreneur who developed the Pullman railroad automobile from 1864. It was not the first sleeping carriage but it was the most luxurious. Pullman automobiles were initially staffed entirely by black porters whose only income was from tips. In 1937 the Brotherhood of Sleeping Automobile Porters became the first black union recognized by a US corporation.
Pullman left school at 14 to become a cabinetmaker. In an attempt to improve the standard of comfort of rail travel, he built his first Pioneer Sleeping Automobile 1864. He formed the Pullman Palace Automobile Company 1867 and in 1881 the town of Pullman, Illinois, was built for his workers. One of the most famous strikes in US labor history took place at Pullman in 1894 (see Pullman strike).
1. City in Washington (USA); zip code 99163.
2. Luxurious; for day or night travel; Also called: Pullman car.
3. Town in West Virginia (USA); zip code 26421.
Množina: Pullmen
1. A railroad passenger car with specially comfortable furnishings for day or especially for night travel
2. A large suitcase