Garrett Morgan was an African American inventor, entrepreneur, and activist who made significant contributions to the fields of transportation and safety equipment. He was born on March 4, 1877, in Paris, Kentucky, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he would eventually establish himself as a successful inventor.

One of Morgan's most notable inventions was the three-position traffic signal, which he patented in 1923. This innovation made roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians by controlling the flow of traffic at intersections with red, yellow, and green lights. Morgan's traffic signal was a significant improvement over previous designs and paved the way for modern traffic management systems.

In addition to his work on traffic signals, Morgan also invented the safety hood, a precursor to the gas mask. This device was designed to protect wearers from toxic fumes and smoke inhalation and was used by firefighters, miners, and other workers in hazardous environments.

Throughout his life, Garrett Morgan faced discrimination and challenges as an African American inventor in a predominantly white society. Despite these obstacles, he persevered and left a lasting impact on public safety and transportation. Garrett Morgan's legacy serves as a reminder of the important contributions that African Americans have made to innovation and progress in the United States.