Garrett augustus morgan jr richard

Inventor

At a Glance…

Devised First Gas Mask

Excelled as Showman

Hailed as National Hero

Inventor of Traffic Signal

Sources

Garrett Morgan was a self-educated and creative individual whose inventions contributed to greater safety and order in our society.

He pursued an early interest in things mechanical to develop inventions of surprising technological complexity, considering the fact that he received no formal education beyond the fifth grade. Morgan showed an astute business sense as well, establishing profitable and long lived companies to manufacture and market his inventions.

He was also something of a showman, devising creative and unusual ways to demonstrate his inventions and generate interest in them. Throughout his career, his inventions and activities revealed a deep concern with the safety and welfare of his fellow citizens.

Morgan was born on March 4, 1877, on a farm in the small town of Paris, in a poor and mountainous regi