Garrett Augustus Morgan Sr.

(March 4, 1877 – July 27, 1963)

Garrett Augustus Morgan Sr. was an American inventor, entrepreneur, and civic leader whose ingenuity and determination broke barriers during the early 20th century. Best known for inventing a three-way traffic signal (1923) and the safety hood and smoke protector (1914)—a precursor to the modern gas mask—Morgan’s creations saved countless lives and reshaped public safety standards. He was also a pioneering businessman and one of the first African Americans to own and operate a successful manufacturing company in Cleveland, Ohio.

Early Life and Education

Morgan was born in Paris, Kentucky, on March 4, 1877, to Sydney Morgan, a formerly enslaved man who had served Confederate General John H. Morgan, and Elizabeth Reed, the daughter of Reverend Garrett Reed and part Native American. One of eleven children, Morgan received only a sixth-grade education before leaving school at age 14 to work full time. After moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, he worked as a handyman while continuing his studies with a private tutor.

In 1895, Morgan relocated to Cleveland, where his talent for mechanical repair emerged as he worked fixing sewing machines. His early curiosity and problem-solving skills soon led him into invention.

Career and Inventions

Throughout his career, Garrett Morgan patented a number of important inventions and developed several successful business ventures. His key creations include:

1. Sewing Machine Belt Fastener (early 1900s) –
   Morgan’s first invention improved the efficiency of sewing machines by keeping belts in place, reducing slippage, and enhancing speed and reliability.

2. Zigzag Sewing Machine Attachment (early 1900s) –
   An innovation that allowed sewing machines to create zigzag stitches, increasing durability and versatility in garment construction.

3. G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Cream and Straightening Comb (1913) –
   While experimenting with lubricating oil, Morgan discovered a chemical process that could safely straighten and smooth hair. This led to the creation of the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company, which produced and sold a full line of hair-care products, including hair dye, hair-straightening creams, and specialized combs.

4. Safety Hood and Smoke Protector (1914) –
   One of Morgan’s most influential inventions, this early respiratory device allowed wearers to breathe safely in smoke-filled environments. It used a system of air tubes that drew in cleaner air from below the smoke layer and filtered out harmful gases. The device was famously used in the 1916 Lake Erie tunnel rescue, where Morgan personally helped save trapped workers. The invention won first prize at the Second International Exposition of Safety and Sanitation in New York.

5. Traffic Signal (1923) –
   After witnessing a serious automobile accident, Morgan designed a manual three-position traffic signal that included “stop,” “go,” and an innovative “all-stop” position—an early version of the modern yellow caution light. He patented and later sold the design to General Electric for $40,000, and his innovation became a foundation for today’s traffic control systems.

6. Self-Extinguishing Cigarette (late 1940s–1950s) –
   One of his later inventions, the cigarette contained a water-filled pellet near the filter that automatically extinguished the cigarette before burning too low, aimed at reducing fire risks.

Community Leadership and Legacy

Beyond his inventions, Morgan was deeply involved in civic and social causes. He helped found the Cleveland Association of Colored Men (1908), an early organization dedicated to promoting racial equality and opportunity, and was a prominent voice for African American business advancement.

Despite losing much of his vision to glaucoma by 1943, Morgan continued to invent and contribute to his community until his passing on July 27, 1963, at the age of 86. He is buried in Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.

Summary of Garrett Morgan’s Major Inventions