Black History Month (BHM): Recognizing Garrett Morgan (1877-1963)

Here in the Young People of Color Community will be recognizing Black History Month with forum posts throughout the month recognizing important people in Black or African American history.

Picture 1: Original three way stop light

Picture 2: Updated three way stop light and inventor Garrett Morgan

The stop light is an invention that some of us may see everyday. Have you ever wondered who invented the stop light also known as the "three way stop light" that we see today?

With only an elementary school education, Black inventor Garrett Morgan came up with several significant inventions, including an improved sewing machine and the gas mask. However, one of Morgan's most influential inventions was the improved traffic light. Without his innovation, drivers across the nation would be directed by a two-light system

Thanks to the successes of his other inventions, Morgan became the first Black person in Cleveland, Ohio to own a car. As a motorist, he witnessed a severe car accident at an intersection in the city. In response, he decided to expand on the current traffic light by adding a “yield” component, warning oncoming drivers of an impending stop. He took out the patent for the creation in 1923, and it was granted to him the following year.

1) Did you know this was the original three way stop light in the United States?

2) Did you know that Garrett Morgan also invented the gas mask?

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