The son of former slaves who invented the gas mask and the traffic signal, saving countless lives.
Garrett Morgan was a man who saw problems and invented solutions. Born in Kentucky to formerly enslaved parents, he moved north and became one of the most successful black entrepreneurs of his time. His inventions didn't just make money; they saved lives.
1. He was the son of enslaved parents
Morgan was born in 1877 in Paris, Kentucky. His parents, Sydney and Elizabeth Morgan, had both been enslaved. With only a sixth-grade education, Morgan moved to Cincinnati at age 14 to find work, hiring a tutor to continue his studies at night.
2. He invented the "Safety Hood" (Gas Mask)
In 1914, he patented a safety hood for firefighters. It used a long tube reaching the ground to draw cleaner air (since smoke rises) and a wet sponge to filter out particles. It was the precursor to the modern gas mask used in WWI.
3. The Lake Erie Tunnel Rescue
In 1916, an explosion trapped workers in a water intake tunnel beneath Lake Erie. Rescuers were dying from the fumes. Morgan and his brother donned their safety hoods, entered the gas-filled tunnel, and personally carried survivors to safety. It was a national sensation.
4. He invented the three-position traffic signal
Before Morgan, traffic signals only had "Stop" and "Go." This caused accidents when drivers didn't have time to stop. After witnessing a terrible crash, Morgan invented the "Warning" (yellow) position to clear the intersection before the signal changed. He sold the patent to General Electric for $40,000.
5. He discovered a hair straightener by accident
While trying to find a solution to reduce friction on sewing machine needles, he wiped some of the chemical on a piece of fur cloth. He noticed the curly fibers became straight. He tested it on his neighbor's dog (it worked) and then himself, launching the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company.
6. He had to hire a white actor to sell his inventions
Racial prejudice was so strong that Morgan knew Fire Chiefs in the South wouldn't buy his safety hood from a black man. He hired a white actor to pose as the inventor while Morgan dressed as a Native American assistant named "Big Chief Mason" during demonstrations.
7. He founded a newspaper
Morgan was a community leader. In 1920, he founded the Cleveland Call, a weekly newspaper dedicated to African American affairs. It later became the Cleveland Call and Post and was a vital voice for civil rights.
8. He was the first black man in Cleveland to own a car
Morgan wasn't just an inventor; he was a wealthy businessman. He was reported to be the first African American in Cleveland to own an automobile, which he maintained himself (sparking his interest in traffic safety).
9. He became nearly blind
In his later years, Morgan developed glaucoma and lost most of his sight. Despite this, he continued to work on his inventions and remained active in the NAACP until his death in 1963.
10. He designed the "zig-zag" sewing attachment
His first invention was a belt fastener for sewing machines. He later developed a zig-zag attachment that allowed standard sewing machines to make a zig-zag stitch, revolutionizing the garment industry.