Biography of garrett morgans
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Following this advice, the inventor began calling his device the “Morgan Safety Hood.” He also hired white actors to promote the product at conventions, helping him to avoid racist objections. Understanding that the firefighters had struggled with smoke inhalation, Morgan began to devise a solution. In 1923, Morgan invented a safer traffic light.
He sold his patent rights for $40,000 to General Electric, and the company developed an electric version of his three-way traffic signal.
Having been an advocate for racial equality throughout his life, Morgan formed one of the first Black fraternities in the country at Cleveland's Western Reserve University. He attended a segregated school for six years before leaving home at age 14 to move to Cincinnati, Ohio.
When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
Garrett Morgan | Biography
Who is Garrett Morgan?
Garrett Augustus Morgan, born on March 4, 1877, in Paris, Kentucky, was a pioneering Black inventor renowned for his remarkable contributions to public safety and traffic management.
This experience compelled Morgan to once again use his talents and skills to develop an invention that would improve the safety and welfare of his fellow citizens.
Though rudimentary traffic lights existed at the time, they only displayed two signals: stop and go. While driving through Cleveland one day, he witnessed a collision between a horse-drawn carriage and another vehicle at an intersection.
Morgan’s business was a success; it enabled him to marry his second wife, Mary Hasek, and establish himself in Cleveland. Mary, a Czech immigrant and skilled seamstress, supported Garrett in his entrepreneurial ventures, and together they established a life filled with both personal and professional accomplishments. In 1909, he created a hair-straightening product that gained popularity among the African American community, further establishing his entrepreneurial reputation.
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In 1891, as a teenager, he moved to Cincinnati in search of better educational and financial opportunities. His mother, Elizabeth Reed, was the daughter of a Baptist minister, while his father, Sydney, was a formerly enslaved man. This foundation set the stage for his future successes as an inventor and entrepreneur, ultimately leading him to create life-saving innovations and contribute significantly to public safety.
His early work experiences in various sewing-machine factories not only provided him with essential hands-on training but also fueled his passion for invention. According to his patent, his hand-operated signal stopped traffic “in all directions before the signal to proceed in any one direction is given.” This allowed vehicles that were already in an intersection to safely pass through it without the risk of collision.
After learning the inner workings of the machines and how to fix them at his factory jobs, Morgan obtained a patent for an improved sewing machine and opened his own repair business. He also made a Black hair oil dye and invented a curved-tooth comb for hair straightening. His company offered a complete line of hair-care products and he invested his profits into creating other inventions.
Inspired by the dangers that firefighters faced with smoke inhalation, Morgan invented a safety helmet to protect the wearer from smoke and ammonia.
Garrett was particularly invested in providing for his sons' education, ensuring they had access to opportunities he did not.