Garrett Morgan was an African American inventor, entrepreneur, and community leader who overcame great adversity in his early life to become one of the most accomplished and respected figures of his time.

Morgan was born in 1877 in Kentucky, the seventh of eleven children born to former slaves. Despite the end of slavery, he and his family faced severe poverty and discrimination in the years that followed. Despite these challenges, Morgan was determined to pursue an education and worked tirelessly to achieve his goals.

After completing grade school, Morgan moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he found work as a sewing machine repairman. He quickly realized that he had a natural talent for mechanics and began to experiment with his own inventions. In 1895, at the age of 18, he invented and patented an improved sewing machine that could sew through heavy fabrics such as leather.

With the profits from his sewing machine invention, Morgan moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he opened his own sewing machine repair shop and began to focus on inventing new devices to improve the lives of working people.

One of Morgan's most famous achievements was his invention of the "safety hood" or gas mask in 1914. The gas mask was designed to protect firefighters and rescue workers from smoke and toxic gases, and it proved to be a lifesaver in the many industrial accidents that occurred during that time. Morgan's invention was used in World War I and also in the rescue of workers during the 1916 Cleveland Waterworks Tunnel disaster, where his mask saved many lives.

Another of Morgan's invention was the traffic signal. In 1923, Morgan patented a "automatic traffic control" which was the precursor to the modern traffic signal. The invention was designed to improve the safety of pedestrians and vehicles on the busy streets of Cleveland.

Morgan's contributions to society were recognized by many organizations and awards. He was awarded with a gold medal by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1914 for his safety hood invention, and was appointed as a member of the Cleveland Association of Colored Men in 1920. He was also honored with a key to the city of Cleveland in 1940.

Morgan's life and work have inspired countless others to pursue careers in science and technology. His legacy continues to be celebrated today, as an example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and a passion for innovation.