Garrett Morgan was born on March 4^th, 1877 in Paris, Kentucky. He was the seventh of eleven children. Garrett’s mother was of African descent and his father was an African American who was formerly enslaved and freed in 1863. Garrett finished his elementary school education, but never went to high school. When Garrett was 14, he moved to Cincinnati and found work as a handyman to a wealthy landowner. He also hired a tutor so that he could continue his education.

In 1895, Garrett moved to Cleveland where he began repairing sewing machines for a living, eventually opening his own repair shop. As he worked, he learned more about the sewing machine and obtained a patent for an improved sewing machine. This was one of his first inventions. After this, Garrett invented a hair refining company that offered hair care, including hair straightening cream and a comb that he developed. This company gave Garrett the finances that he needed to continue to innovate products.

When Garrett heard about deadly factory fire in which 146 women perished, he knew he wanted to create a device that could help. In 1914, Garrett patented a breathing device, also called a “safety hood,” that would provide users with safer breathing in the event of smoke, gas, or other pollutants. This eventually was used to design gas masks that were used in World War One.

Garrett received some backlash and hesitation from buyers, particularly in the South. Even though advancements had been made for equal rights during the civil rights movement, there were still tensions and, therefore, some people would not buy Garrett’s inventions because of his skin colour. To sell his products, he hired a white actor to pose as “the inventor” so that he could make more sales and be more successful.

In 1923, Garrett Morgan witnessed a carriage accident at an intersection in Cleveland that was known for having issues. After he witnessed this, he knew he had to create something that would alert drivers when it was time to stop. Therefore, he invented a three-way traffic light.

Eventually, Garrett sold the rights of his traffic light invention to General Electric. Outside of his inventing career, Garrett also supported the Black community throughout his lifetime by actively advocating for equal rights. In 1943, Garrett Morgan developed glaucoma, a medical condition impacting sight, and lost most of his vision as a result. Due to other health problems and illness, he died in 1963, leaving behind three children. In 2005, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Ohio, and his prototype of the traffic signal is on display at the African American Museum in Cleveland. Lastly, he has a school named after him; the Garrett Morgan School of Engineering and Innovation in Cleveland.