Garrett Morgan
Garrett Morgan was a prolific inventor and entrepreneur who made significant contributions to various fields, including traffic safety, personal protective equipment, and hair care. Born in Paris, Kentucky, in 1877, Morgan grew up in a family of farmers and had limited formal education. However, he had an insatiable curiosity and an innate talent for tinkering with machines.
One of Morgan's earliest inventions was a sewing machine that could work on leather, which he developed when he was just 18 years old. He later moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he established himself as a successful businessman and inventor.
One of Morgan's most famous inventions is the three-position traffic signal, which he patented in 1923. At the time, traffic signals only had two positions, red and green, which often caused confusion and accidents. Morgan's innovation added a third position, a warning light, which gave drivers enough time to prepare for the next signal change. The three-position traffic signal became widely adopted across the United States and remains an essential feature of modern traffic management.
In addition to traffic safety, Morgan was also concerned with personal safety, especially in dangerous work environments. He developed a breathing apparatus, which he called the "Morgan safety hood," that protected users from smoke, gases, and other toxic fumes. The hood consisted of a canvas hood with two tubes that supplied fresh air from a compressed air tank. The Morgan safety hood was later used by firefighters and miners and is considered one of the precursors to modern gas masks.
Morgan was also an entrepreneur and established his own company, the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company, which produced a hair straightening cream that was widely popular among African American women. The cream was called the "G.A. Morgan's Hair Refiner" and was made with a special formula that included natural ingredients such as egg yolks and beeswax.
Despite his many achievements, Morgan faced significant challenges as an African American inventor in the early 20th century. He had to fight against racism and discrimination, and his inventions were often ignored or stolen by white businessmen. Nevertheless, Morgan persisted in his work and continued to innovate until his death in 1963.
Garrett Morgan's legacy is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of Black inventors. His inventions continue to impact society and improve the lives of millions of people around the world. Morgan's story is a reminder that anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can make a significant contribution to the world if they have the determination and creativity to do so.