The invention of the traffic light is attributed to Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor and entrepreneur. In 1923, Morgan obtained a patent for his three-position traffic signal, which incorporated a "warning" position to alert drivers before changing to red or green. This innovation helped to improve road safety and reduce traffic accidents by providing clearer signals to motorists and pedestrians. Garrett Morgan's traffic light design paved the way for modern traffic control systems and remains an important contribution to transportation infrastructure.