Garrett Morgan

Who Was Garrett Morgan?

Garrett Morgan, often referred to as the “Black Edison,” was a prolific inventor known for his significant contributions to var

ious fields, including public safety and industrial innovation. Beginning his career as a sewing-machine mechanic, Morgan quickly demonstrated his inventive spirit by patenting an improved sewing machine design and developing a hair-straightening product, among other innovations.

One of Morgan’s most notable inventions was the safety hood, a breathing device that served as a precursor to gas masks used during World War I. This invention showcased his commitment to enhancing safety in hazardous environments. In 1923, Morgan further advanced public safety with the invention of a safer traffic light, revolutionizing traffic management and contributing to road safety.

Morgan spent much of his life in Ohio, where he became a prominent figure in the community. He passed away in July 1963 at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of innovation that continues to influence modern technology and public safety measures.

Early Life

Garrett Augustus Morgan was born on March 4, 1877, in Paris, Kentucky, as the seventh of eleven children. His mother, Elizabeth Reed, was of Indian and African descent and the daughter of a Baptist minister. His father, Sydney Morgan, was a formerly enslaved man who gained his freedom in 1863 and was the son of John Hunt Morgan, a Confederate colonel. Morgan’s mixed-race heritage would significantly influence his business endeavors later in life.

In his mid-teens, Morgan relocated to Cincinnati in search of employment, where he secured a position as a handyman for a wealthy landowner. Despite only completing an elementary school education, he sought additional knowledge by hiring a private tutor. During this time, he also worked at various sewing-machine factories, experiences that sparked his imagination and shaped his future aspirations.

Inventions: Traffic Light, Early Gas Mask, and More

One of Garrett A. Morgan’s early inventions involved the sewing machine. After gaining experience in the inner workings of these machines during his factory jobs, Morgan successfully patented an improved sewing machine and subsequently launched his own repair business. The venture flourished, allowing him to marry his second wife, Mary Hasek, and establish a life in Cleveland. The success of his patented sewing machine not only provided him with financial stability but also set the stage for his future innovations.

Hair Straightener

In 1909, while operating a tailoring shop with Mary—who brought her expertise as a seamstress to the partnership—Morgan encountered a common issue: woolen fabric that had been scorched by a sewing machine needle. To address this problem, he experimented with a chemical solution aimed at reducing friction from the high-speed needles. Remarkably, he noticed that this solution made the fibers of the fabric straighter. After testing his concoction on a neighbor’s dog, he eventually tried it on his own hair, achieving favorable results. This led him to establish the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company, which marketed the cream specifically to African Americans. The company experienced significant success, providing Morgan with financial security and the freedom to explore further innovations.

Safety Hood: Precursor to the World War I Gas Mask

In 1914, Morgan patented a breathing device known as the “safety hood,” designed to protect wearers from smoke, gases, and other pollutants. He actively promoted the device, particularly to fire departments, often conducting demonstrations to showcase its reliability in emergency situations. The safety hood became a prototype for the gas masks used in World War I, providing soldiers protection against toxic gases in warfare. Morgan’s invention earned him first prize at the Second International Exposition of Safety and Sanitation held in New York City.

However, Morgan faced resistance to his inventions, particularly in the racially charged atmosphere of the South, where racial tensions lingered despite advancements in civil rights for Black Americans. To counter this resistance, Morgan ingeniously hired a white actor to portray “the inventor” during presentations, while he himself disguised as a Native American named Big Chief Mason. This strategy proved effective, leading to increased sales, particularly among firefighters and rescue workers.

Traffic Light

Morgan’s inventive spirit extended beyond the safety hood. Not only was he the first Black man in Cleveland to own a car, but he also honed his mechanical skills and developed a friction drive clutch. In 1923, motivated by witnessing a carriage accident at a troublesome intersection in Cleveland, he created an innovative traffic signal that included a warning light to alert drivers when they would need to stop. He patented this rudimentary version of the modern three-way traffic light in the United States, Britain, and Canada, ultimately selling the rights to General Electric for $40,000. Even in his later years, despite declining health, Morgan continued to pursue his inventive passions, with his final creation being a self-extinguishing cigarette that featured a water-filled plastic pellet positioned before the filter.

Cleveland Tunnel Explosion

A tragic accident in 1916 offered yet another opportunity for Morgan’s safety hood to shine. During the construction of a new tunnel under Lake Erie, workers inadvertently struck a pocket of natural gas, leading to a devastating explosion that trapped numerous workers underground amid toxic fumes and dust. Upon hearing of the disaster, Morgan and his brother donned breathing devices and rushed into the tunnel, successfully saving two lives and recovering four bodies before the rescue effort was halted.

Despite their bravery, the publicity surrounding the incident ultimately harmed Morgan’s sales, as the public became more aware of his racial identity, leading many to refuse to purchase his products. Furthermore, neither Morgan nor his brother received adequate recognition for their heroic actions during the explosion; racial discrimination likely played a role in this oversight. Although Morgan was nominated for a Carnegie Medal in acknowledgment of his efforts, he was ultimately not awarded, and some reports erroneously credited others as the rescuers.

Social Activism

Beyond his remarkable career as an inventor, Garrett Morgan was a committed advocate for the African American community throughout his life. He played a significant role as a member of the newly formed NAACP and was actively involved in the Cleveland Association of Colored Men. His philanthropic efforts included donations to historically Black colleges and the establishment of an all-Black country club. In 1920, he founded the Cleveland Call, an African American newspaper later known as the Call and Post, which served as a vital platform for community issues and advocacy.

Marital Life and Family

Morgan was married twice and was the father of three sons. His first marriage was to Madge Nelson in 1896, though little is documented about their brief union, which ended two years later. In 1908, Morgan entered into a more substantial relationship with his second wife, Mary Hasek. Together, they had three children: John, Garrett, and Cosmo.

Mary Hasek’s family immigrated to the United States from present-day Czech Republic in 1893, and she initially worked as a sewer in a tailor shop. As a white woman married to Morgan, her relationship faced societal challenges and criticism. After their marriage, Mary was excommunicated from the Catholic Church, which required her siblings to visit her in secret.

The Morgan family prioritized quality time together, hosting mandatory Sunday night dinners in their Cleveland home. Garrett Morgan was deeply invested in his sons’ education, providing them with opportunities he had not had in his youth.

Later Years and Death

In 1943, Morgan began to develop glaucoma, which ultimately led to significant vision loss. He also faced other health issues, which he attributed to toxins from the Cleveland tunnel disaster. Shortly before his passing, he was honored by the U.S. government for his invention of the traffic signal.

Morgan died on July 27, 1963, in Cleveland after a prolonged illness, as noted in his obituary in the Pittsburgh Courier. He passed away at the age of 86, just prior to the centennial celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, an event he had eagerly anticipated in Chicago. He is interred at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, the final resting place of notable figures such as former President James Garfield, Prohibition enforcer Eliot Ness, and business magnate John D. Rockefeller.

Legacy

Garrett Morgan’s inventions have profoundly impacted and saved countless lives around the globe, including those of firefighters, soldiers, and vehicle operators. He has been recognized for his pivotal role in the Lake Erie rescue and has since been restored to his rightful place in history. His work laid the groundwork for numerous significant advancements that continue to inspire contemporary inventors and engineers.

In 2005, Morgan was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio. His prototype traffic signal is proudly displayed at the African American Museum in Cleveland, and the Garrett Morgan School of Engineering and Innovation in the city bears his name, honoring his enduring legacy.