The formative years of India's greatest inventor
Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu was born on 23 March 1893 in Kalangal, a small village near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He was the son of Gopalaswamy, a school teacher, and Lakshmi Ammal. Naidu's family belonged to a modest agricultural community, and he grew up in humble surroundings that would later shape his practical approach to engineering.
From an early age, Naidu displayed an exceptional curiosity about mechanical devices. He would often dismantle household items and attempt to reassemble them, much to the concern of his parents. His fascination with machinery began when he first saw a British-made steam engine at a nearby railway station.
Naidu's formal education was limited due to family circumstances. He attended the local village school but could not complete his secondary education. Despite this, he developed a keen interest in mathematics and physics through self-study. Naidu would borrow textbooks from wealthier students and study them late into the night.
At the age of 15, Naidu took his first job as a timekeeper at the British India Corporation in Coimbatore. This position exposed him to various industrial machines and sparked his interest in electrical engineering. During his spare time, he would study the factory's electrical systems and experiment with small electrical devices.
In 1914, Naidu moved to Madras (now Chennai) where he worked as a mechanic for a British engineering firm. This experience provided him with hands-on training in machine tools, electrical wiring, and mechanical assembly - skills that would prove invaluable in his future inventions.
During his time in Madras, Naidu began experimenting with electrical motors in his small rented room. With limited resources, he would salvage parts from discarded machines and assemble them into functional devices. His breakthrough came in 1920 when he successfully built his first electric motor capable of operating on both AC and DC power.
This achievement marked the beginning of Naidu's career as an inventor. Despite having no formal engineering degree, his practical knowledge and innovative thinking earned him recognition in engineering circles. He returned to Coimbatore in 1922 and established his first workshop, where he would go on to create over 100 inventions.
As a teenager, Naidu took up various small jobs to support himself. He worked as a farm helper, cleaner and later as a worker in workshops and factories around Coimbatore. These experiences gave him hands-on exposure to mechanical equipment and tools. He carefully observed how machines were assembled, repaired, and maintained, and he began experimenting on his own in his spare time.
Even without an engineering degree, Naidu trained himself by watching others, reading available manuals, and learning from trial and error. His ability to diagnose faults and fix machines quickly gained attention. This practical, self-taught engineering mindset became a defining feature of his career. His early life laid the foundation for his later inventions and business ventures, proving that determination and curiosity could overcome the lack of formal schooling.
Born on 23 March in Kalangal village near Coimbatore in a farming family.
Left school after the third standard and worked in fields and odd jobs while teaching himself through reading and practical work.
Purchased an automobile coach and began carrying passengers, later founding Universal Motor Service (UMS).
UMS expanded into a leading transport company with a large bus fleet based in Coimbatore.
Conducted experiments on several inventions including an early voting machine and contested a provincial election.
Developed and produced one of the first indigenous electric motors in India, supporting local industry.
Announced the production of a five-valve radio set priced at about ₹70 to promote affordable electronics.
Retired from regular business activities and formed the Industrial Labour Welfare Association.
Helped establish Arthur Hope Polytechnic and Arthur Hope College of Engineering in Coimbatore.
Developed a low-cost two-seater petrol car and experimented with rapid-construction housing techniques.
Charitable and museum activities were formalised through trusts and institutions.
Passed away on 4 January 1974 in Coimbatore, leaving a lasting legacy in industry, education, and innovation.