Garrett Morgan (African-American Inventor)

Garrett Morgan (1877-1963) was an African American inventor and entrepreneur known for his pioneering work in the fields of traffic safety and gas mask technology.

Born in Kentucky, Morgan moved to Cleveland, Ohio as a young man and started his own sewing machine and repair business. He later expanded his business interests to include a tailoring shop, a hair straightening product, and a newspaper.

In 1914, Morgan patented his first invention, a safety hood designed to protect firefighters from smoke and gas inhalation. He later improved on this design and patented the Morgan gas mask, which was used by the U.S. Army during World War I.

In addition to his work on gas mask technology, Morgan is also credited with inventing the first traffic signal with a warning light, which he patented in 1923. This device was an important innovation in traffic safety and helped reduce the number of accidents on the road.

He also discovered and developed a chemical hair-processing and straightening solution. He created a successful company called “G. A Morgan Hair Refining Company”, which was based on his hair product inventions along with a complete line of haircare products.

Throughout his life, Morgan faced discrimination and racism due to his race, but he continued to persevere and succeed in his business ventures and inventions. He once said “I had but a little education, but I am a graduate from the school of hard knocks and cruel treatment. I have personally saved nine lives.”

He died in Cleveland in 1963 at the age of 86.

Visit www.africanpridemagazine.com for more