The invention of the traffic signal is credited to Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor and entrepreneur. In 1923, Morgan patented an early version of the traffic signal, which he called the "Safety Hood and Light," designed to improve road safety by controlling the flow of vehicles and pedestrians.

Morgan's traffic signal featured three positions: "Go," "Stop," and an "all-stop" position to allow for safe pedestrian crossings. This innovation was a significant advancement in urban traffic management and eventually laid the foundation for modern traffic signal systems used worldwide.

Garrett Morgan's invention of the traffic signal not only made streets safer but also paved the way for future advancements in transportation and infrastructure. His contributions to traffic safety remain an essential part of Black history and the history of innovation in America.