Garrett Augustus Morgan, also known as the “Black Edison,” was a prolific inventor who created early versions of the traffic light and gas mask. Born on March 4, 1877, in Paris, Kentucky, Morgan’s inventions left a lasting impact on automotive history.
Born in Paris, Kentucky, on March 4, 1877, Garrett Augustus Morgan was the seventh of 11 children. His mixed-race heritage played a part in his business dealings as an adult. He moved to Cincinnati in his mid-teens and found work as a handyman. Morgan’s fascination with sewing machines led him to a career as a sewing-machine mechanic, where he patented an improved sewing machine design.
Garrett Morgan’s inventive spirit extended to the automotive world. One of his notable inventions included the development of a friction drive clutch for cars. Additionally, in 1923, he created a new kind of traffic signal, one with a warning light to alert drivers that they would need to stop. This traffic signal became a rudimentary version of the modern three-way traffic light and showcased Morgan’s commitment to improving automotive safety.
Morgan improved and saved countless lives worldwide with his profound inventions. In 2005, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. His prototype traffic signal is on display at the African American Museum in Cleveland, and the Garrett Morgan School of Engineering and Innovation in the city is named in his honor.
Information sourced from Biography.com and other credible sources.