By: CA Staff Writer | Feb 10, 2025
Clarksdale, Mississippi – Garrett Morgan was a brilliant inventor whose creations helped save countless lives. Born in 1877 in Claysville, Kentucky, to formerly enslaved parents, Morgan had only a sixth-grade education but possessed an incredible ability to solve everyday problems.
One of his most well-known inventions was the modern three-light traffic signal. After witnessing a terrible car accident at an intersection, Morgan developed a system that included a yellow warning light to improve safety on the roads. He patented the device in 1923, and General Electric later bought the rights, helping shape traffic systems worldwide.
Morgan was also responsible for creating an early version of the gas mask. His “safety hood,” designed to protect firefighters from smoke and toxic fumes, gained national attention in 1916 when he used it to rescue workers trapped in a tunnel explosion beneath Lake Erie. Despite his heroism, some people initially refused to buy his invention when they learned he was Black. To overcome racism, Morgan often hired white actors to pose as the inventor while he demonstrated the product.
Beyond his inventions, Morgan was a successful businessman and advocate for Black advancement. He founded the Cleveland Call newspaper and was active in civil rights organizations like the NAACP.
His ingenuity and determination left a lasting impact on public safety and inspired future generations of Black inventors and entrepreneurs.
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