Garrett Augustus Morgan was a trailblazing African American inventor whose creations revolutionised everyday living and greatly improved public safety.
Morgan is most recognised for creating the three-position traffic signal and the safety hood, which served as a model for the contemporary gas mask. His contributions have had a lasting impact on history.
Early Life and Entrepreneurial Spirit
Morgan was born to previously enslaved parents in Paris, Kentucky, and received little formal schooling. He relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of 14 in search of better prospects.
He employed a tutor there to further his schooling while working as a handyman. Morgan’s talent for mechanics sent him to Cleveland, where he repaired sewing machines before starting his own repair company.
His business endeavours grew to include the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company, which sold hair care products he created, and a tailoring company.
The Safety Hood: A Life-Saving Invention
The “safety hood,” a breathing apparatus intended to shield users from smoke and dangerous gases, was patented by Morgan in 1914. The device included a moist sponge to filter out smoke and cool the air, as well as a canvas hood with two tubes that extended close to the ground to draw in cleaner air.
The safety hood, which was first designed for firemen, became known across the country after the Lake Erie tunnel collapse in 1916.
Several lives were saved when Morgan and his brother utilised the device to free trapped workers. Racial discrimination at the time prevented him from receiving much credit for his heroic efforts.
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Innovating Traffic Safety: The Three-Position Traffic Signal
As the first Black man in Cleveland to own a car, Morgan witnessed numerous traffic accidents due to the lack of effective traffic control. In response, he invented a three-position traffic signal in 1923, introducing a “caution” phase between “stop” and “go” to allow drivers time to react.
This innovation significantly improved road safety and reduced accidents. Morgan sold the rights to his traffic signal to General Electric for $40,000, a substantial sum at the time.
Legacy and Impact
Garrett Morgan’s inventions have had a lasting impact on public safety and urban infrastructure. His safety hood laid the groundwork for modern gas masks used by firefighters and military personnel, while his traffic signal design became a standard feature in traffic management systems worldwide.
Beyond his inventions, Morgan was an active community leader, co-founding the Cleveland Association of Colored Men, which later merged with the NAACP. His legacy serves as an enduring testament to innovation, resilience, and the profound contributions of African American inventors to society.
