In 1923, the streets of America were a chaotic mix of horse-drawn carriages, automobiles, and pedestrians. This environment inspired Garrett Morgan, a man who called himself "The Black Edison," to create life-saving technologies that remain foundational to our daily lives.
While social media often frames Morgan’s story through the lens of "hidden history," his legacy is now widely recognized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. His transition from a self-taught mechanic to a man whose inventions are found on every street corner is a testament to the power of observation and necessity.
The Life of Garrett Morgan: From Handyman to Hero
Born in 1877 to formerly enslaved parents in Kentucky, Garrett Augustus Morgan’s formal education ended at the sixth grade. He moved to Ohio as a teenager, working as a handyman while hiring a private tutor to continue his studies.
His career was defined by a mix of mechanical genius and entrepreneurial spirit. Before his famous safety inventions, he established a successful sewing machine repair business and founded the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company.
The "Black Edison" Moniker Historical evidence, including accounts from his granddaughter Sandra Morgan, indicates that Garrett actively used the title "The Black Edison." While the press gave a similar nickname to inventor Granville T. Woods, Morgan adopted the moniker himself to establish his status as a leading innovator. It was a strategic move to associate his work with the highest standard of American technology during a time of intense racial prejudice.
To sell his inventions in a segregated America, Morgan often had to hire white actors to pose as the inventor while he played the role of an assistant. Despite these barriers, he became a wealthy community leader, co-founding the Cleveland Call newspaper and the Cleveland Association of Colored Men.
Master List of Patents & Technical Drawings
Morgan’s work focused on practical utility. Below are his primary patents, including links to view the original technical drawings.
The Safety Hood (Breathing Device/Gas Mask)
The Three-Position Traffic Signal
Patent Number:
1,475,024 Purpose: This T-shaped device was the precursor to the yellow light. It featured a "caution" position that stopped traffic in all directions, allowing pedestrians to cross safely.
Sewing Machine Improvements
Patent Number:
830,244 Purpose: A belt fastener for sewing machines, reflecting his early roots in garment manufacturing.
Who Owns the Patents Today?
In the 1920s, patent rights were often sold to larger corporations for mass manufacturing.
The Traffic Signal: Morgan sold the rights to his traffic signal to General Electric (GE) for $40,000 (roughly $730,000 today). GE adapted his mechanical design into the electric red-yellow-green systems we use today.
The Safety Hood: Morgan maintained ownership through his own company, the National Safety Device Company. His designs eventually became the prototype for the gas masks used by the U.S. Army during World War I.
Current Status: All of Garrett Morgan’s original patents have since expired and entered the public domain. This means the technology is no longer owned by any single entity, allowing his designs to serve as the blueprint for global safety standards.
Sources:
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) - Journeys of Innovation.
Western Reserve Historical Society - The Garrett A. Morgan Papers.
Sandra Morgan (Granddaughter) - Interviews with Popular Mechanics and Smithsonian.
National Inventors Hall of Fame - Garrett Morgan Inductee Profile.
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