# GD Naidu, India’s Edison, created electric motor, 100 inventions

2026-08-09T14:34:56+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Gopalswamy Doraiswamy Naidu, a school dropout who became a prolific inventor, developed India's first indigenous electric motor in 1937. The self-taught engineer from Coimbatore built a transport empire, Universal Motor Service, and was associated with over 100 inventions including an electric razor, kerosene fan, and a two-seater car. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1970 and died in 1974 at age 80. His work emphasised indigenous technology over imported equipment.

## Coverage

- businesstoday.in <https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/story/class-3-dropout-to-indias-edison-how-gd-naidu-became-a-pioneering-inventor-548184-2026-08-09?utm_source=rssfeed>

Tags: Coimbatore, electric motor, GD Naidu, industrialist, inventor, Padma Bhushan
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/gd-naidu-indias-edison-created-electric-motor-100-inventions/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/gd-naidu-indias-edison-created-electric-motor-100-inventions/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.