Have you ever stopped at a traffic light or seen firefighters wearing breathing equipment? If so, you have Garrett Morgan to thank.
This remarkable inventor created devices we still use today, overcoming huge obstacles along the way.
The Early Years Of A Future Inventor:
Born in 1877 in Kentucky, Garrett Morgan was the son of formerly enslaved parents. He had only an elementary school education before starting work to help support his family. At just 14 years old, Morgan left home for Ohio seeking better opportunities.
In Cleveland, he worked as a handyman and taught himself mechanical skills by repairing sewing machines. His curious mind and problem solving abilities would soon change the world.
Breaking Barriers In Business:
Morgan opened his own sewing machine repair shop in 1907, becoming one of the first Black business owners in Cleveland. He later founded the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company, which sold hair care products he invented for Black customers.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Morgan succeeded during a time when racial discrimination was common. Sometimes he had to hire white actors to demonstrate his inventions or pretend to be the company owner just to get a fair chance.
Life-Saving Inventions That Changed History:
Morgan's most famous creation came after he witnessed a terrible factory fire. In 1914, he patented the "Morgan safety hood," an early type of gas mask that allowed wearers to breathe safely in smoke filled areas.
The invention proved its worth in 1916 when Morgan himself used it to rescue workers trapped in a tunnel under Lake Erie after an explosion.
Despite his heroism, many newspapers didn't mention Morgan was Black when reporting the rescue.
Later, during World War I, the U.S. Army adapted his design to protect soldiers from chemical attacks. Today's modern gas masks and firefighter breathing equipment evolved from Morgan's original idea.
How A Near-Accident Led To Safer Streets:
In 1923, after witnessing a crash between a car and a horse-drawn carriage, Morgan invented a three-position traffic signal. Unlike previous signals that switched directly between "stop" and "go," Morgan's design added a warning position that gave drivers time to clear intersections.
General Electric bought the patent for $40,000 (worth over $700,000 today), and Morgan's innovation became the foundation for modern traffic lights that prevent countless accidents every day.
The Legacy That Lives On Today:
Garrett Morgan died in 1963, but his inventions continue saving lives. His achievements are even more remarkable considering he had little formal education and faced widespread racism throughout his career.
Schools, streets, and buildings now bear his name, and in 2005, Morgan was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
His story reminds us that determination and creativity can overcome tremendous obstacles.
The next time you safely cross at a traffic light or see emergency responders wearing protective gear, remember Garrett Morgan, the brilliant inventor who made the world safer for all of us.
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