Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor and entrepreneur, is credited with the invention of the first traffic signal. In 1923, Morgan patented an improved version of the traffic signal, which he first introduced in Cleveland, Ohio. His invention included a T-shaped pole with three positions: stop, go, and an "all stop" position to allow for crossing traffic. This innovation helped to improve road safety and regulate traffic flow in cities around the world. Garrett Morgan's contributions to transportation and road safety have had a lasting impact on society, and he is recognized as an important figure in Black history for his pioneering work in this field.