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Profiles of Excellence. Ruth MacKinno n. GARRETT AUGUSTUS MORGAN. 1877-1963 African-American businessman Inventor developed many useful products. Date and Place of Birth. Paris Kentucky March 4, 1877 son of former slaves - seventh of eleven children. Early Years.
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Profiles of Excellence Ruth MacKinnon
GARRETT AUGUSTUS MORGAN • 1877-1963 • African-American businessman • Inventor • developed many useful products
Date and Place of Birth • Paris Kentucky • March 4, 1877 • son of former slaves - seventh of eleven children
Early Years • formal education ended with fifth grade at 14 years old • worked on the family farm with his brothers and sisters
Young Adult • While still a teenager, he left Kentucky and moved north to Cincinnati, Ohio in search of opportunity. • he hired a tutor while living in Cincinnati and continued his studies in English grammar.
Work • sewing machine repair man for a clothing manufacturer • In 1907, Morgan opened his own sewing equipment and repair shop. • In 1909, he expanded to include a tailoring shop that employed 32 employees
Middle Years • In 1920 Morgan moved into the newspaper business when he established the Cleveland Call. • After witnessing a collision between an automobile and a horse-drawn carriage, Morgan was convinced that something should be done to improve traffic safety.
The Garrett Morgan Traffic Signal • patent was granted on November 20, 1923 • T-shaped pole unit that featured three positions: Stop, Go and an all-directional stop position • sold the rights to his traffic signal to the General Electric Corporation for $40,000
Other Morgan Inventions. • zig-zag stitching attachment for manually operated sewing machine • hair dying ointments and the curved-tooth pressing comb • Patents issued to Morgan
Morgan’s Gas mask • gas mask won a gold medal at the International Exposition of Sanitation and Safety • used by firemen in the early 1900s and by soldiers in World War I.
In Memoriam • August 27, 1963, at the age of 86 • Morgan's commitment to fighting racial prejudice was demonstrated by his membership and service as an officer in the Cleveland Association of Colored Men • his creative energies have given us a marvelous and lasting legacy.
Take the Garret Morgan Quiz • Click on this Traffic Light to start quiz The End
Credits • African Americans in the Sciences • United States Department of Transportation • UCI - Showcasing African American Contributions • The Garrett A. Morgan Association • See also • United States Department of Transportation Children’s Page • Garrett A. Morgan Stamp Project - by MacDonald Intermediate School in Fort Knox