The traffic light as we know it today was invented by Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor and entrepreneur. Morgan developed and patented the three-position traffic signal in 1923, after witnessing a serious traffic accident in Cleveland, Ohio. His invention featured a manual system that included a "stop" position for vehicles in all directions and a warning light to alert drivers before the signal changed.

Morgan's traffic signal was a significant improvement over earlier models, as it helped to regulate traffic flow and reduce the number of accidents at intersections. His invention laid the foundation for the modern automated traffic signal systems that we rely on today. Garrett Morgan's contributions to road safety and transportation were groundbreaking and continue to have a lasting impact on society.