Garrett Augustus Morgan, an extraordinary inventor whose creations saved countless lives:
Garrett Augustus Morgan (1877–1963)
Profession: Inventor, businessman, and community leader
Notable for: Life-saving inventions and entrepreneurial success
1. The Safety Hood (1914)
- What it was: A precursor to the modern gas mask.
- Designed with tubes and a moist sponge to filter smoke and chemicals.
- Used by firefighters and rescue workers well before modern gas masks were developed.
Real-World Impact:
- In 1916, Morgan personally used the safety hood to save over a dozen workers trapped during a tunnel explosion beneath Lake Erie in Cleveland.
- Though initially dismissed due to racial bias, the device’s proven effectiveness led to its widespread adoption across the U.S. and Europe.
2. The Three-Position Traffic Signal (1923)
- Morgan also invented and patented an automatic traffic signal with a third “warning” position (similar to today’s yellow light).
- Sold the rights to General Electric for $40,000—a massive sum at the time.
Why It Mattered:
- His invention reduced accidents at busy intersections and influenced modern traffic lights worldwide.
Business Ventures
- Founded the G. A. Morgan Hair Refining Company, creating and selling a hair-straightening product for Black hair.
- Also started a Black newspaper, The Cleveland Call.
Legacy
- Honored with schools, streets, and scholarships in his name.
- Featured in the National Inventors Hall of Fame and countless Black History Month celebrations.
- A trailblazer in both safety technology and Black entrepreneurship.
