Meet Garrett Morgan, inventor of the traffic light and gas mask.
Meet Garrett Morgan, a pioneering African American inventor whose groundbreaking innovations have saved countless lives and continue to impact the modern world. Morgan is best known for creating the three-position traffic light and the safety hood—a precursor to the modern gas mask. His life’s work is a testament to ingenuity, resilience, and the drive to make the world a safer place.
The Inspiration Behind His Work
Born in 1877 in Kentucky, Garrett Morgan encountered racial barriers that made accessing education and resources challenging. Nonetheless, he nurtured a natural talent for mechanics and inventiveness. In 1912, after witnessing a tragic accident where firefighters struggled in a smoke-filled environment, he developed the safety hood. This device allowed people to breathe in smoky or gas-filled areas, a revolutionary design that became essential for firefighters and rescue operations. His invention gained widespread recognition in 1916 after he used it to personally save several men trapped in a tunnel explosion under Lake Erie.
Revolutionizing Road Safety
In 1923, Morgan patented the three-position traffic light, adding a “warning” phase to prevent accidents between the “stop” and “go” signals. His design is the basis for traffic lights worldwide, making intersections safer for drivers and pedestrians alike. He later sold his patent to General Electric, which helped popularize his traffic light system nationwide.
Recognition and Legacy
While Garrett Morgan faced racial discrimination throughout his life, he gained recognition for his life-saving inventions later on, receiving awards and honors, particularly for the safety hood. Despite the challenges of limited recognition during his peak years, Morgan’s legacy as an inventor has endured, earning him posthumous honors and establishing him as a pioneer in both road and public safety.
For more information on Garrett Morgan and his contributions, several biographies and historical archives document his life’s achievements and impact. His work lives on as a crucial part of safety innovations that transformed daily life and saved lives worldwide.
