Garrett Morgan was an African American inventor and entrepreneur known for life-saving innovations like the Safety Hood, a precursor to the gas mask, and the traffic signal, which improved road safety. His story is one of overcoming systemic barriers, proving that, sometimes, the road to success requires not just invention but also the ability to navigate and outsmart the biases of the time.
Garrett Augustus Morgan, born on March 4, 1877, in Paris, Kentucky, was one of the most inventive minds of his time. He was the seventh of eleven children born to Sydney Morgan, a freed slave and Elizabeth Reed, a freed slave of partial Native American heritage.
Growing up in the predominantly African American community of Claysville, Kentucky, his formal education was limited to the sixth grade. Like many African American children of his time, economic pressures forced him to leave school early to work full-time. At the age of 14, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in search of better opportunities. There, he worked as a handyman while pursuing his education through private tutoring, demonstrating an early commitment to self-improvement and knowledge.
In 1895, Morgan moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he began repairing sewing machines for a clothing manufacturer. This work sparked his interest in mechanical innovation, and he soon became known for his ability to fix and improve machines. During this time, he invented a belt fastener for sewing machines and a zigzag attachment, marking the beginning of his journey as an inventor. His creativity extended to personal care products, and in 1912, he patented a hair-straightening cream and launched the G. A. Morgan Hair Refining Company, which catered to the grooming needs of African Americans.
One of Morgan’s most significant contributions to public safety was his invention of the “Safety Hood,” a precursor to the modern gas mask. The device used a sponge to filter smoke and an air intake tube positioned near the ground to access cleaner air.
He filed for a patent on the device in 1912, and founded a company called the National Safety Device Company in 1914 to market it.
Morgan demonstrated his invention across the country, often entering smoke-filled tents to prove its effectiveness. However, due to the racial prejudices and discrimination which severely limited opportunities for Black entrepreneurs at the time, Morgan frequently hired white actors to claim credit for his invention during demonstrations, this tactic allowed him to bypass racial biases and gain acceptance for his innovations in predominantly white markets.
When marketing his gas mask, Morgan would stage demonstrations where he, disguised as an assistant, would operate the device while a white actor took credit as the inventor. This approach enabled him to secure contracts and recognition for his invention that might have otherwise been denied to him due to the color of his skin.
The effectiveness of the Safety Hood became evident during the Waterworks Tunnel explosion in Cleveland on July 24, 1916. A gas buildup had caused a deadly explosion, trapping workers underground. Morgan and his brother Frank were called to the scene in the middle of the night by a police officer who had seen the demonstration of Morgan’s patented smoke hood.
Armed with four Safety Hoods, they led a daring rescue mission alongside two volunteers, saving several lives and recovering the bodies of those who had died. Morgan personally made four trips into the tunnel during the rescue, and his health was affected for years afterward from the fumes he encountered there. The heroic effort brought national attention to Morgan’s invention, prompting increased demand from fire departments across the country. However, when photographs revealed that Morgan was Black, some southern cities canceled their orders, preferring to face danger rather than rely on a lifesaving device created by a Black man.
Although Morgan demonstrated incredible heroism as the first to enter the tunnel for the rescue and played a key role by providing the equipment that made the operation possible, Cleveland officials initially ignored his contributions, refusing to acknowledge him because of his race. It was only years later that a local citizens’ group honored his bravery by awarding him a gold medal. He also received a medal from the International Association of Fire Engineers, which made him an honorary member.
Morgan’s inventive mind did not stop at safety devices. In 1922, after witnessing a traffic collision between a horse-drawn carriage and a car, he developed a manually operated traffic signal. The device featured arms that could display “stop” and “go” signs, with an additional caution signal to improve road safety. Morgan patented the invention in 1923 and later sold the rights to General Electric for $40,000. This contribution to traffic management laid the groundwork for the modern traffic light system, further cementing his legacy as an innovator.
Despite his professional achievements, Morgan never lost sight of the importance of giving back to his community. In 1908, he co-founded the Cleveland Association of Colored Men, which later merged with the NAACP. He served as the organization’s treasurer and actively supported efforts to improve the lives of African Americans. Morgan also donated generously to historically Black colleges and universities, using his financial success to uplift others.
In 1931, frustrated by the city’s failure to address the needs of its African American community, Garrett Morgan ran for a seat on the Cleveland City Council as an independent candidate. Despite his efforts, he was not elected.
In his later years, Morgan’s health suffered due to exposure to toxic fumes during his rescue efforts at the Waterworks Tunnel. On July 27, 1963, he passed away in Cleveland at the age of 86, leaving behind his wife, Mary Hasek, and three children: Garrett Augustus Jr., Cosmo Hamlin Morgan, and John Pierpont.
Despite the challenges he faced, Morgan’s life and work left an indelible mark on society. Reflecting on his journey, Morgan once wrote in his diary: “I had but a little schooling, but I am a graduate from the school of hard knocks and cruel treatment. I have personally saved nine lives
His legacy endures not only in the devices he created, which saved countless lives, but in the path he carved for other Black inventors who followed in his footsteps.
Source:
https://engines.egr.uh.edu/episode/1624
Behind the Scenes: Shedding Light on the complicated case of Black Inventor Garrett Morgan
